NRLW Signing News

[The Axe of Druss]

So its now confirmed that Jesse Southwell will be leaving the Knights for the Broncos in 2026

In last nights Daly M medals, the top 3 women were Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson and Jesse Southwell. All contracted to the Broncos for 2026. Can anyone say with a straight face that the womens game right now isnt sliding into very dangerous places?

Imagine if the top 3 mens players were all at one club?

 

[Nuke]

Comp's f**ked. Roosters vs Broncos Grand Finals coming up every year for the foreseeable, with those two teams picking off the top talent at every other team (except for the most loyal) and those other 10 teams just fighting for whoever is left over.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Doom-laden comments re Panthers/Storm dominance NRL. Stats measuring NRL popularity said otherwise.

Doom-laden comments re Roosters/Broncos dominance NRLW. Stats measuring NRLW popularity say otherwise.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Doom-laden comments re Panthers/Storm dominance NRL. Stats measuring NRL popularity said otherwise.

Doom-laden comments re Roosters/Broncos dominance NRLW. Stats measuring NRLW popularity say otherwise.

Couple of key differences between the NRL and the NRLW mate

1. The salary caps are vastly different. The gap between the top players and the minimum wage is huge

2. Penrith over the last 5 years have shed many rep players/key players each year. They have brought in juniors and have a very good system built around key players to maintain success. How many key players have the Broncos or Roosters lost over the years? We both know the answer

3. The NRL is the tippity top product in the game with a 100+ year history. Rusted on fans will follow their team and the comp no matter how badly they go. Penrith/Storm dominating is only a comparative blip on the radar. The NRLW is 7 years old and outside the Knights winning 2 GFs, the others have been won by the 2 clubs that are now hoarding most of the talent.

4. Outside of SOO and the Prelim last week (which was a double header with the mens, so lets take that crowd number with a massive grain of salt) the NRLW numbers have actually been down this year compared to 2023

You can choose to be flippant about the issue if you want but its plain to see

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Couple of key differences between the NRL and the NRLW mate

1. The salary caps are vastly different. The gap between the top players and the minimum wage is huge

2. Penrith over the last 5 years have shed many rep players/key players each year. They have brought in juniors and have a very good system built around key players to maintain success. How many key players have the Broncos or Roosters lost over the years? We both know the answer

3. The NRL is the tippity top product in the game with a 100+ year history. Rusted on fans will follow their team and the comp no matter how badly they go. Penrith/Storm dominating is only a comparative blip on the radar. The NRLW is 7 years old and outside the Knights winning 2 GFs, the others have been won by the 2 clubs that are now hoarding most of the talent.

4. Outside of SOO and the Prelim last week (which was a double header with the mens, so lets take that crowd number with a massive grain of salt) the NRLW numbers have actually been down this year compared to 2023

You can choose to be flippant about the issue if you want but its plain to see

None of this refutes the argument that 2 dominant teams is neither unusual nor decadent.

Broncos haven't played in a GF for 5 years.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

4. Outside of SOO and the Prelim last week (which was a double header with the mens, so lets take that crowd number with a massive grain of salt) the NRLW numbers have actually been down this year compared to 2023

Which like-for-like numbers are down?

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Which like-for-like numbers are down?

Average crowd number is down compared to 2023

 

[The Axe of Druss]

None of this refutes the argument that 2 dominant teams is neither unusual nor decadent.

Broncos haven't played in a GF for 5 years.

It might not be unusual but it certainly is detrimental to the comp. Have a look at the ESL to see its effect on the crowds and bottom line of the clubs when the same 2-3 teams keep winning and have done so for decades.

You are also overlooking how those 2 teams are currently dominating. In 2025, games that feature either the Broncos or the Roosters and a side 3rd or lower have blown out 95% of the time. These arent close games where 1 or 2 class players have been the difference, they have literally melted the opposition across the park. Its a preview of what we are going to get over the next few years if things dont change and its going to have a huge hit to the comps crowds and support. Keep making all the excuses you want

 

[Rod]

Correct, Broncos might not have made the GF for a while until this year but this season made it obvious what's in store going forward.

NRL has blown a great opportunity to make a serious comp.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Average crowd number is down compared to 2023

Specifically which average crowd number is down?

Regular season, finals, standalone, double-headers?

Post the figures.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Its a preview of what we are going to get over the next few years if things dont change and its going to have a huge hit to the comps crowds and support.

With one exception (2023 final Knights v Broncos), standalone crowds have generally been derisory throughout the history of the comp.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

With one exception (2023 final Knights v Broncos), standalone crowds have generally been derisory throughout the history of the comp.

They are small yes but you only need to look at the AFLW to see they can get much smaller if the quality of the comp continues to diminish.

This is a very real crossroads for the comp after making some big strides over the last few years. I fear it's already too late tbh

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Specifically which average crowd number is down?

Regular season, finals, standalone, double-headers?

Post the figures.

Regular season. The crowd numbers are freely available

 

[Delboy]

With one exception (2023 final Knights v Broncos), standalone crowds have generally been derisory throughout the history of the comp.

So , as we watch the team regarded as possibly the 3rd best in the competition, watch their best and most influential and origin player walk out of the door to the Broncos , you believe that benefits the competition.

It’s a serious problem and if the NRLW continues to close its mind to the problem, them they are deluded. Most now don’t switch on to watch anyone in the NRLW other than their supported team , and that’s basically when they play teams when it’s not a foregone conclusion.

Even most junior leagues see this as an issue and are moving to try and eliminate lopsided comps with only 1 or 2 teams competitive.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

So , as we watch the team regarded as possibly the 3rd best in the competition, watch their best and most influential and origin player walk out of the door to the Broncos , you believe that benefits the competition.

Not sure how you arrive at that conclusion.

Clearly not great news for the Knights. Effect on the Broncos will probably be neutral, Southwell replacing Gayle Broughton who has signed for the Warriors. Been reported that Mele Hufanga will also leave the Broncos to join the Warriors in 2026.

Even most junior leagues see this as an issue and are moving to try and eliminate lopsided comps with only 1 or 2 teams competitive.

What precisely are you asking the NRL to do?

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Regular season. The crowd numbers are freely available

As you observed in a previous post, the figures announced at double-headers are not worthy of attention.

The 3 games in Hamilton this year averaged 6-7k. Seems unlikely the overall average for regular-season standalone fixtures has fallen. Can only judge, if you post reliable data.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

As you observed in a previous post, the figures announced at double-headers are not worthy of attention.

The 3 games in Hamilton this year averaged 6-7k. Seems unlikely the overall average for regular-season standalone fixtures has fallen. Can only judge, if you post reliable data.

You're getting stuck on a tiny detail and ignoring the bigger problems but like I said the numbers are freely available

 

[MRN]

Southwell to Broncos officially confirmed.

Young Star Southwell Seals Broncos Deal

The Broncos have signed Dally M Halfback of the Year and Jillaroos squad member, Jesse Southwell, on a two-year deal, until the end of the 2027 season.

www.broncos.com.au

 

[mozza91]

The might aswell just make the NRLW a 2 team comp officially.

 

[Nuke]

The might aswell just make the NRLW a 2 team comp officially.

Yep. 100%.
Just make the NRLW a 12 week State Of Origin series and get it over with.

When a player at the team who finished 3rd and one game shy of the Grand Final, and who had won 2 premierships in a row as recently as 2yrs ago wants to go to Brisbane or Roosters because she wants to win more premierships, then is clear for all to see that there are only two teams in it now. When the team that finished 3rd isn't expected to win anything else from here on out, it shows where the comp is and where it's heading.