Just four weeks into the NRLW season and teams are already entering do-or-die territory.
Canberra looked irresistible in their 32-12 opening-round win over Wests Tigers, but after three losses on the trot coach Darrin Borthwick knows there comes a time when they must start winning or kiss their finals hopes goodbye.
"That's now for us," he said.
"After our first two losses it was important for us last week to go up (to Brisbane) knowing we'd probably have to get those two points and we just narrowly missed out. But now it's getting pretty vital."
Such is the nature of the blink-and-you'll-miss-it nine-round home-and-away season. Just the narrowest of margins can derail a promising title tilt.
While the Raiders on two points are currently just one victory outside a finals berth, they must win each of their remaining five matches to reach last season's top-four cut-off of 12 points.
They narrowly missed out on finals with 10 points in 2023 and will be desperate not to fall short again in their sophomore season.
"I feel we're definitely a better team than what we were this time last year," Borthwick said.
"But obviously the points don't say that on the ladder.
"Hopefully we get a good run home now and I think if we get to the pointy end of the season, I wouldn't like to be playing us."
Canberra will be without second-rower Monalisa Soliola with a shoulder injury as they cross the halfway point of their season in Saturday's clash with North Queensland, giving 18-year-old Relna Wuruki-Hosea the chance to make her debut from the bench.
"It's the best part of the job, when you give your debuts out," Borthwick said.
"And she'll also add a little bit to us in attack, (she's got) a bit of flair there so looking forward to her getting out on the field on the weekend."
Newcastle are also feeling the pressure after going down 14-12 to the undefeated Cronulla.
The back-to-back premiers have now suffered consecutives losses after their 11-game winning streak came to a crashing halt against St George Illawarra the week prior.
"Obviously they're disappointed with the loss but we've got to get back on the horse and keep going," said Knights coach Ben Jeffries.
He acknowledged their success might have caused complacency to seep into their attack, with poor ball security and a lack of polish going forward costing them in the last two weeks.
"If there is any complacency, that's our role as staff to keep them honest and knock that out of them," Jeffries said.
