Parramatta have upset Brisbane 22-10 in a fiery NRLW clash that erupted in the second half with two players sent to the sin bin.
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Eels lock Kennedy Cherrington and Broncos prop Annetta Nu'uausala were both binned in the 61st minute at Suncorp Stadium after an all-in melee ensued.
Cherrington had taken exception to a hip-drop tackle on her younger sister, hooker Rueben Cherrington, by Nu'uausala who was also put on report. Cherrington pushed Nu'uausala over and the Broncos firebrand responded with a punch.
"This is my baby sister and I am here to protect her," Cherrington told Fox League after the match.
"I got sent off but I am going to go and shake (Nu'uausala's) hand. It is all good.
"What a way to start the season. To come to Suncorp and win is not easy. It's a massive credit to our girls."
Parramatta deserved their win with half Rachael Pearson and lock Cherrington outstanding.
Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson blitzed her way to the tryline in a 95m run after collecting a cross-field bomb to open the scoring for Brisbane, but the first half turned when the hosts' discipline let them down.
The Eels won the penalty count 7-1 in the opening 35 minutes.
Winger Zali Fay scored in the corner after throwing a crafty dummy on the inside before centre Rory Owen crashed over on her NRLW debut.
The pattern continued early in the second half when Eels winger Monique Donovan finished a sweeping movement for the visitors to lead 14-4.
Broncos prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi barged over but Pearson showed her class by landing a 40/30 before setting up Kennedy Cherrington for a try with a sublime grubber.
Earlier, Cronulla got their season off to a flying start with a comfortable 14-0 win over North Queensland at Pointsbet Stadium.
The visitors lost influential prop Makenzie Weale early on to an HIA after the Queensland State of Origin representative copped a head knock in an Ellie Johnston tackle.
The Sharks capitalised on their forward pack's dominance to pull out to a three-try lead at halftime.
All three four-pointers came via Cronulla's potent left edge - one through centre Tiana Penitani and two courtesy of winger Cassie Staples.
Lock Brooke Anderson was typical of the Sharks' steadfast defence as they held their opponents scoreless for the first time in their NRLW history, forcing several handling errors with bone-rattling tackling.
Even five-eighth Emma Tonegato, who assisted in two tries and two line-breaks, muscled up in defence with 16 tackles.
North Queensland grew into the game but the contest turned into a scrappy affair in the second half.
Both sides failed to trouble the scorers after halftime as they struggled to complete their sets.
Australian Associated Press
