Golden 'oldie' Temara takes her place in NRLW history books

Raiders skipper Zahara Temara knows that racking up a half-century of NRLW games means she has been around for a while, but she draws the line at her teammates making her feel like her age matches her career tally.

Following in the footsteps of Broncos trailblazers Ali Brigginshaw and Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Roosters stars Keeley Davis and Isabelle Davis, the 28-year-old playmaker joins the exclusive 50-game club when the Raiders host Wests Tigers on Saturday.

“It's been a bit of a roller coaster but a good one. A lot of learnings, a lot of friendships and relationships that you get from different clubs along the journey," the 2024 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year told 94ddz.com.

“The girls make me feel like old but I'm only 28! They always seem like I'm 50 or something but I’ve enjoyed the journey.

"It has been a great ride."

That ride began for Temara seven years ago in the inaugural NRLW season when she debuted alongside Kelly for the Roosters.

After 24 games and a premiership with the red, white and blue she headed south to the Raiders, where she has racked up 25 games across three seasons.

"I'm just letting it sink in, pretty wrapped that I get to play my 50th this weekend," Temara said.

"Winning one [premiership] was really awesome at the Roosters and even before that, the journey to get into NRLW and to get here now, started at Nerang Roosters and Burleigh Bears.

"I'm indebted to those clubs just as much as the Raiders and Roosters.

"The journey to get here to NRLW has been significant for me."

Temara has been instrumental in turning the Raiders' season around with back-to-back wins in the past fortnight, producing four try assists, three line break assists and eight conversions in the record-breaking 56-24 victory over the Bulldogs in Round 8.

Younger sister and teammate Chanté is full of praise for Zahara, saying it was tough love that gave her the drive to make it to first grade to play alongside her. 

“I’m very grateful that we get to play for the same team. It took us a little bit for us to get here, but I’ve loved every step of it," said Chante.

“She’s made me cry when we were younger, but that's all love. I think just watching her from the start was really nice to see.

"I definitely see her as a role model among all the girls. She does show a bit of tough love but it comes from the heart.”

Sitting three points outside the top six with two three games to play the Raiders haven't given up hope of making a late charge for the finals.

After this week's home game against Wests Tigers they face a daunting assignment against defending premiers the Roosters in Sydney and a trip to the Gold Coast to face the Titans.

The Raiders aren't ruling out a late run into the finals this year, with Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick saying with the way the team is playing, anything is possible. 

‘There's still a lot of belief in the group, and I guess for us now it's just going week by week," Borthwick said.

:"One thing I will say is that the group is training harder than ever, and one thing that they showed against the Bulldogs is that they’re going to keep turning up for each other.

"If we can continue to do that, who knows what could happen."