Sharks vs. Tigers Grudge Match and the Tamika Upton Supremacy

In a high-energy episode of Footy for Real, Jada Taylor and Maddie Studdon dissected a dramatic Round 3 of the NRLW that saw the heavyweights clash and the underdogs bite back. From the Brisbane Broncos' heart-stopping battle with the Roosters to the ongoing injury crisis in Canberra, the hosts offered a raw look at a season where "one loss could be the difference" between finals glory and early heartbreak.

The Tamika Upton Factor: "Best in the Game"

 The conversation inevitably turned to the powerhouse matchup between the Broncos and the Roosters. While the Roosters claimed a 30-26 victory, the performance of Tamika Upton left the hosts in awe. Taylor was unequivocal about Upton’s standing in the sport, claiming she is the undisputed number one.

"Tamika Upton is the best in the game. I think when she wants to create something, she does... the more footy she gets, the better the Broncos look and the better NRLW looks to be honest."

Studdon agreed, noting that Upton appears to be "two steps ahead of everyone else" on the field. The pair analyzed the Broncos' spine, particularly a unique play where Jada Ferguson and Gail Broughton combined to set up Lauren Dam—a trick they suspect other teams will soon be looking to "steal."

Raiders’ 102-Point Nightmare 

The Canberra Raiders are facing a crisis of confidence after conceding 102 points across their last two home games at GIO Stadium. Despite an impressive debut from young fullback Elise Simpson—who clocked 212 run meters—the Raiders were dismantled by a resurgent Parramatta Eels. Taylor questioned the Raiders' decision-making, specifically regarding star half Zahara Temara, who stayed on the field despite clearly clutching her hamstring early in the game.

"Is it silly from the Raiders? I think so... when you grab that hemi, it doesn't look good."

The hosts noted that the Raiders are feeling the absence of departed stars like Apii Nicholls and Ash Quinlan, predicting a "really long year" for the Green Machine unless they can tighten a defense that Taylor described as "sloppy and soft."

Sharks vs. Tigers: The Ultimate Bogey Match

‍The episode concluded with a look ahead to a massive Round 4 clash between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers. For the Sharks, the match is about more than just ladder points—it’s about breaking a historic curse. Taylor revealed a staggering statistic: the Sharks have never beaten the Tigers in their NRLW history.

"The Sharks haven't beat the Tigers in the history of the NRLW... last year Sharks went to the grand final and the last round game they lost to the Tigers who got the wooden spoon."

Taylor, currently playing for the Sharks, admitted the team needs to "ice things a little bit better" after consecutive close losses. Both hosts tipped the Sharks to bounce back, provided they can get the ball into the hands of Shante Kiratu more frequently.

Eels Rising and Dragon Veterans

In other news, the Eels' Rory Owen was hailed as a "massive future of the game" after her double against the Raiders, while the Dragons' Nita Maynard and Holly Wheeler were celebrated for reaching their 40-game milestones. Studdon praised Maynard’s veteran cool, which was on full display when she set up Casey Ray for a match-winning try in the final 30 seconds against the Bulldogs.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.