<p>The NRLW regular season has been run and won and now it’s time for week one of the finals.</p> <p>Seeing as this is the first season of the NRLW’s new expanded 12 team competition, it means female footy fans will be treated to an all-new finals format.</p> <p>For the first time ever, six sides will contest the NRLW Finals, with the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos, the competition's standout performers, earning direct qualification to preliminary finals thanks to their top two ladder positions.</p> <p>This luxury of a week off and automatic qualification to the prelims creates a stark contrast to the pressure-cooker environment facing teams ranked third through sixth.</p> <p>The Newcastle Knights, Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks must navigate do-or-die elimination matches, with the victors advancing to face the fully rested Roosters or Broncos in the preliminary finals.</p> <p>Which two sides will be moving on to the final four and which two will need to start planning their Mad Monday celebrations?</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRLW Finals Week 1 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Knights Women vs Gold Coast Titans Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 20, 2:30pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first of this weekend’s NRLW Elimination Finals will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the Newcastle Knights hosting the Gold Coast Titans.</p> <p>The Titans left it as late as possible to secure their finals berth, with a 73rd minute golden point field goal from Lauren Brown sealing their place in the playoffs.</p> <p>There was no such stress for Newcastle who comfortably finished third, capping off their regular season schedule with an exciting 30-22 victory over St George.</p> <p>That match saw Keighley Simpson cross for an unlikely hat-trick seeing as she was only listed as a reserve before kick-off.</p> <p>For this clash, the Knights as they have all season long, will rely on their powerful forward pack and creative halves combination, with Jesse Southwell's game-breaking ability in tight contests a crucial X-factor.</p> <p>The Titans on the other hand will turn to golden point heroine Lauren Brown and her exceptional kicking game, which ranks among the competition's best.</p> <p>While Brown’s ability to drop the ball on a dime will help with the field position battle, at home we expected the Knights to eventually overpower their visitors, particularly when they get the ball close to the try line.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/newcastle-knights-women-v-gold-coast-titans-women-9624955">Newcastle Knights Women</a>.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Keighley Simpson anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys Women vs Cronulla Sharks Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 20, 4:15pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Saturday’s second NRLW Elimination Final is as close as they come with the H2H odds showing this matchup between the Cowboys and the Sharks is poised on a knife’s edge.</p> <p>North Queensland are the slight favourites, largely due to home ground advantage, as Cronulla will have to head to the tropics for this one.</p> <p>Neither side’s preparation for this must-win match has been ideal as they both ran into the top two teams last week, with the Sharks going down 40-10 to the Roosters, while the Cowboys were embarrassed 50-4 by the Broncos.</p> <p>Outside of these results, both teams have turned in very respectable seasons. After a slow start, the Cowboys clicked into gear in a big way, securing a top four spot, largely thanks to the attacking exploits of Kirra Dibb.</p> <p>Meanwhile Cronulla turned to their defensive resolve to win matches and will be banking on that to keep Dibb and co at bay here.</p> <p>Whether they can do that remains to be seen, particularly away from home. We like the Cowboys here, but we fancy there won’t be more than a solitary try in this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/north-queensland-cowboys-women-v-cronulla-sharks-women-9624958">North Queensland Cowboys Women</a>.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Under total match points &amp; Kirra Dibb anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Think one of these sides can go all the way from here? See where each team is currently sitting in the<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/nrlw-grand-final-winner-8771243"> 2025 NRLW Premiership Odds.</a></p>