Knights’ NRLW five-eighth Georgia Roche is primed for a stern test against the Roosters this weekend, predicted to be their toughest game yet. 

After securing a fifth consecutive win last week, prevailing 30-6 over the Wests Tigers, the Newcastle squad isn’t so sure the next fight will be as easy. 

Set to play at the Central Coast Polytec Stadium on Sunday 17 August, the Hunter-based outfit faces a Sydney powerhouse littered with stars… and, yet to drop a match in 2025.

But, the 24-year-old English import admitted she was excited by the challenge. 

“We know they’re going to be hard, however I think we are just focused on ourselves,” she said.

“We take every game week by week… and we are going to do the same this weekend.

“We’ve had a little bit of detail on them but not too much because we want to focus on us and where we can be better.” 

The last time Newcastle entered the field with the Roosters was the 2024 semi-final, which resulted in a dramatic loss for the Knights. 

But, Roche said she was confident in her side’s chances of success heading into Sunday’s encounter.

“The combination [between herself and halfback Jesse Southwell] is coming together well,” she explained. 

“I think we are complementing each other a lot better this year in the way we’re playing football, which is obviously helping us as a team. 

“In that area, we certainly have more where we can develop and get better as a unit.” 

It will be a game of firsts for many in the squad, too, as Roche has never played on the Central Coast, neither has coach Ben Jeffries. 

While the beginning of the season was rocky for the gifted playmaker, Roche said playing with Southwell had made things a lot easier. 

“Working with Jesse is just like riding a bike,” she added.

“It never really goes away and as soon as we got back to the park together, we clicked into gear.

“Pre-season was a bit different this year with Jesse being away for State of Origin, but everything else has been the same.

“Just the style of football is a bit different, however I think it complements us both.” 

As the NRLW combatants surge towards the pointy end of the year, Roche said she had her eyes firmly fixed on the prize… the 2025 grand final.

“That’s the main goal,” she added.

“I don’t think we will need to do anything different.

“I believe we all know what we are capable of and if we keep building at the rate that we are, we will let the football do the talking.” 

The eagerly-awaited showdown kicks off at 1.45pm.

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