LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons are set to begin their 2025 campaign by hosting the Westpac NSW Blues Women in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
According to nrl.com.au, although the Maroons currently hold the shield, they lost the corresponding match in Brisbane last year with a score of 22-12.
They had to recover with victories in Newcastle (11-10) and Townsville (22-6) to secure the series.
Both teams will showcase new rosters, as many key players, including Shannon Mato and Millie Elliott, are currently on leave to focus on growing their families and will miss this year's Origin series and NRLW season.
With no prior games played, both sides have shared similar preparation, engaging in six-week training camps marked by high-intensity intra-squad trials.
Experience will play a crucial role in the match, particularly for the Maroons, as they look to leverage their strengths against the Blues.