Aiken leads Roosters to 10th straight 2025 win
Margie McDonald |
The Tarryn Aiken-inspired Sydney Roosters have kept their NRLW slate clean in 2025 with a 10th straight win, downing the gallant Canberra Raiders 26-14.
The Roosters were without some key players, notably Corban Baxter and Isabelle Kelly, for Friday’s match at Allianz Stadium.
And the Raiders stuck to them like glue, trailing by just a converted try at half-time and the same margin with eight minutes left on the clock.
The Roosters left edge made four errors in the first half and were a little clunky without NSW Origin skipper Kelly (jaw).
But star halfback Aiken took charge as she contributed three line-break assists, three try assists, scored herself and managed 202 metres in positional kicks.
“She’s one of the best in the world at what she does,” teammate Jayme Fressard said of Aiken.
“She has such a calm presence on the field and directs us around so well. With her we know where we’re going.”
It did seem like mission impossible before kick- off considering the Roosters were on a nine-match winning run and the Raiders sat in 10th spot on the ladder with just three wins.
But the Green Machine managed to silence the defending premiers for the opening 20 minutes before Aiken put back rower Jasmine Strange through a small gap to score.
The Raiders responded with winger Isabella Waterman snatching a Sereana Naitokatoka corner kick out of the Roosters hands for a try.
But a couple of Raiders errors resulted in another timely Aiken pass for winger Mia Wood to cross on the stroke of halftime for a 10-4 lead.
The second half had both teams scoring two tries as the arm wrestle was in full swing.
But up stepped Aiken once again with three minutes left to score her fifth try of the season and put the result beyond doubt.
John Strange’s team has one more assignment before the finals get underway in two weeks, meeting the Sharks in a 2024 grand final re-match in the last round.
They have one concern out of tonight with prop Macie Carlile on report for dangerous contact on Raiders winger Mackenzie Wiki.
AAP
