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Co-captain Kezie Apps says her expectations have risen for the Wests Tigers in their second NRLW season.

Kezie Apps is expecting more from Wests Tigers in an NRLW season that is threatening to slip through the joint venture's fingers.

The Tigers sit in last place on the NRLW ladder after falling to heavyweight sides Canberra and Gold Coast inside the opening fortnight.

Wests can ill-afford to continue their losing streak against perennial contenders the Sydney Roosters this Saturday, but Apps is remaining calm, aware the first two weeks won't always define a season.

"I just reflect on last year, we won the first two then lost the rest of them, so I'm thinking, 'Here we go, we're doing the complete opposite'," the Tigers co-captain told AAP.

"We need to start winning, obviously, it's such a short competition so we need a win to be able to be that top-four team and have any chance to make that grand final."

The Tigers have retained the core of the squad that finished eighth in their first NRLW campaign, with winger Jakiya Whitfeld the most significant departure in the off-season.

Pundits were pessimistic as to Wests' finals hopes in the pre-season but Apps feels a stable roster could play into the Tigers' hands.

"The girls have worked really hard, they're fitter, they're stronger, they've had that experience in that first year," Apps said.

"They know what it takes to win and they know what it takes to play at this level, so definitely expectations are higher (this season).

"One of our values is accountability so we're just tyring to hold ourselves accountable for the little things to make us better each and every day."

The Tigers will target defensive improvement against the Roosters after giving the Titans' all-star backline too much room to move in last week's 28-12 loss.

"We switched off for two seconds, which we can't do against quality sides," Apps said.