Key Points
Raiders defeat Tigers 6-0 in historic first NRLW finals match on September 18.
Isabella Waterman's try in 17th minute was only points scored in lowest-scoring women's finals game.
Sheridan Gallagher ran 206 metres for Canberra while Tigers' attack managed zero points.
Raiders advance to preliminary final, Tigers' season ends in sudden-death elimination.
The Canberra Raiders made history on Friday night, winning their first-ever NRLW finals match with a 6-0 victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Both teams entered finals for the first time, but a single try from Raiders winger Isabella Waterman in the 17th minute proved decisive in a defensive battle. The Raiders now advance to the preliminary final, while the Tigers’ fairytale season ends in disappointment after finishing with the wooden spoon in 2024 and 2025.
Raiders edge Tigers in sudden-death thriller
The Canberra Raiders survived a sudden-death battle with the Wests Tigers to claim a 6-0 win in the lowest-scoring NRLW finals match in history. Isabella Waterman’s try in the 17th minute was the only points scored as both sides dug deep in defence. The Raiders prevailed after Tigers captain Kezie Apps’ 50th career game ended in defeat. Fullback Sheridan Gallagher was immense for Canberra with 206 run metres while prop Chloe Saunders ran for 173 metres.
Tigers’ attack collapses in finals pressure
The Wests Tigers managed just 0 points after averaging 25 points per game across the first eight rounds. Their attack deserted them in their last three matches, scoring 0, 10 and 0 as they headed into finals. Kezie Apps led the Tigers with 135 run metres and 34 tackles but could not lift her team over the line. The Tigers had finished with the wooden spoon in both 2024 and 2025 before this season’s improvement.
Raiders march toward grand final
The Raiders have now won their first finals match in their inaugural campaign since entering the NRLW in 2023. They face a preliminary final next week with a spot in the grand final on the line. Canberra’s back five combined for over 700 metres in their regular season win over the Tigers, showing the attacking depth that will be crucial in the coming weeks. The Raiders have built steadily under coach Darrin Borthwick since joining the competition in 2023.
Historic first finals series for both clubs
Friday’s match marked a new frontier for both the Raiders and Tigers as they prepared for their inaugural finals campaign. The Tigers had never won a finals match in the NRLW era and have yet to register a win against the Raiders in five meetings since both teams entered the competition in 2023. The scheduling quirk meant the two sides faced off just seven days after their round 11 clash, where Canberra won 22-10. This weekend’s second elimination final will see the defending champion Brisbane Broncos face the Newcastle Knights on Saturday.
Final Thoughts
The Raiders’ 6-0 win marks a watershed moment for both clubs in their first NRLW finals campaign. With Canberra now one win from the grand final and the Tigers’ season ended, the Raiders have proven their defensive system works under pressure. Investors in women’s rugby league should note the growing commercial appeal of NRLW finals, with sold-out crowds and prime-time broadcast slots now standard.
FAQs
Isabella Waterman scored the only try in the 17th minute. Both sides played tight defence, and the Tigers’ attack failed to convert chances in the final minutes despite Kezie Apps’ one-on-one strip.
Yes. The 6-0 result was the lowest-scoring NRLW finals match in history, according to match records.
The Tigers’ season ends. They played their first-ever finals match but lost in the sudden-death elimination final, so they are eliminated from the 2026 NRLW premiership race.
The Raiders advance to the preliminary final. Their opponent will be determined by the second week of finals, where the top two finishers (Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans) play.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author
Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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