NRLW

[Apey]

Is it really an NRL draw without teams playing each other twice preferably in the span of 3 weeks since NRLW is a shorter season.

 

[PhilGould]

Knights announce Caitlan Johnston & Shanice Parker have re-signed. Another loss confirmed last night with Kiana Takairangi signing with the Sharks.

Gains:

Re-signed: Yasmin Clydsdale (2025), Caitlan Johnston (2025), Shanice Parker (2024), Hannah Southwell (2027), Jesse Southwell (2027), Tamika Upton (2027)

Losses: Millie Boyle (Roosters), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Bobbi Law (Dragons), Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys), Kiana Takairangi (Sharks), Romy Teitzel (Broncos)

Unsigned: Tamsin Barber, Tiana Davison, Jessica Gentle, Olivia Higgins, Simone Karpani, Caitlin Moran, Nicole Nathan, Emmanita Paki, Tayla Predebon, Kayla Romaniuk, Kyra Simon, Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, Makenzie Weale, Jakiya Whitifeld

 

[Frederick]

Georgia Roche played halfback for England this morning in a 64-nil demolition of France. Haven't seen the game so unsure how big a part she played in it

 

[PhilGould]

I was only half watching but she had a handful of try involvements and forced a few dropouts. Her and Raiders signing Hollie Dodd both seemed like they were going through the motions a bit, and the opposition weren't NRLW-quality to put it very nicely.

 

[HarVeeGee]

The English comp is a much lower standard too. With all these English girls you’re sort of mostly taking a punt on their talent rather than anticipating the player will be a top drawer NRLW player right away. I reckon there’s a very good chance Roche will be our 14, as she’s also played a fair bit of hooker, with Moran playing 6.

 

[PhilGould]

Gains:

Re-signed: Yasmin Clydsdale (2025), TIana Davison (2023), Olivia Higgins (2023), Caitlan Johnston (2025), Simone Karpani (2023), Shanice Parker (2024), Tayla Predebon (2024), Kayla Romaniuk (2024), Hannah Southwell (2027), Jesse Southwell (2027), Tamika Upton (2027)

Losses: Millie Boyle (Roosters), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Bobbi Law (Dragons), Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys), Kiana Takairangi (Sharks), Romy Teitzel (Broncos)

Unsigned: Tamsin Barber, Jessica Gentle, Nicole Nathan, Emmanita Paki, Kyra Simon, Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, Makenzie Weale, Jakiya Whitifeld

 

[PhilGould]

Strange is a centre/winger who made her debut for the Roosters (where her dad is head coach) last year. We only have 2 outside backs on the books at the moment but I reckon she'll be in the top team even when the squad is finalised.

Kirkpatrick is a Knights junior and a solid back-rower but wouldn't expect her to be anything more than depth this year.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

More signings. No clue how these fit in.
Someone propose a team.

Host of international and NRLW experience bolsters Knights

New Zealand Kiwis duo Abigail Roache and Laishon Albert-Jones headline an influx of new talent signed for the nib Newcastle Knights Telstra Women’s Premiership defence in season 2023.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[PhilGould]

1. Tamika Upton
2. Jasmin Strange
3. Shanice Parker
4. Abigail Roache / Felila Kia
5. Tamerah Leati / Abigail Roache
6. Georgia Roche / Caitlin Moran / Jayde Herdegen
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Tayla Predebon
9. Olivia Higgins
10. Kayla Romaniuk
11. Catilan Johnston
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Hannah Southwell (C)

14. Nita Maynard / Georgia Roche / Caitlin Moran / Jayde Herdegen
15. Rima Butler
16. Simone Karpani
17. Tiana Davison / Laishon Albert-Jones / Jules Kirkpatrick / Felila Kia

That's my best guess right now but I haven't seen any of the bolded names play at all. Will be a good test to see what Griffiths is really made of as a coach, there's enough talent to still be up the pointy end but not going to have as easy of a time getting up the field without Boyle & Johnston running over teams. Still think moving Johnston to the edge is a weird move given the circumstances, as good as I think she can/will be there.

It's a weird balance position wise so far. Those 6 put us at 20/24 spots filled with Georgia Roche (half) yet to be announced & Nita Maynard (hooker) rumoured as another one. So we've got about 6 players who seem to think the halves is their best spot but only 5 outside backs total and none are specialist wingers. Forwards make a bit more sense, we've got a few who can shift to the middle or edge when necessary.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

1. Tamika Upton
2. Jasmin Strange
3. Shanice Parker
4. Abigail Roache / Felila Kia
5. Tamerah Leati / Abigail Roache
6. Georgia Roche / Caitlin Moran / Jayde Herdegen
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Tayla Predebon
9. Olivia Higgins
10. Kayla Romaniuk
11. Catilan Johnston
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Hannah Southwell (C)

14. Nita Maynard / Georgia Roche / Caitlin Moran / Jayde Herdegen
15. Rima Butler
16. Simone Karpani
17. Tiana Davison / Laishon Albert-Jones / Jules Kirkpatrick / Felila Kia

That's my best guess right now but I haven't seen any of the bolded names play at all. Will be a good test to see what Griffiths is really made of as a coach, there's enough talent to still be up the pointy end but not going to have as easy of a time getting up the field without Boyle & Johnston running over teams. Still think moving Johnston to the edge is a weird move given the circumstances, as good as I think she can/will be there.

It's a weird balance position wise so far. Those 6 put us at 20/24 spots filled with Georgia Roche (half) yet to be announced & Nita Maynard (hooker) rumoured as another one. So we've got about 6 players who seem to think the halves is their best spot but only 5 outside backs total and none are specialist wingers. Forwards make a bit more sense, we've got a few who can shift to the middle or edge when necessary.

Sounds like the firsts with so many wannabe halves. It's a Knights thing.
I hope they settle on a combination.

 

[PhilGould]

Squad alphabetically

1. Laishon Albert-Jones
2. Rima Butler
3. Yasmin Clydsdale
4. Tiana Davison
5. Sheridan Gallagher
6. Jayde Herdegen
7. Olivia Higgins
8. Caitlan Johnston
9. Simone Karpani
10. Felila Kia
11. Jules Kirkpatrick
12. Tamerah Leati
13. Nita Maynard
14. Caitlin Moran
15. Shanice Parker
16. Tayla Predebon
17. Kayla Romaniuk
18. Abigail Roache
19. Hannah Southwell
20. Jesse Southwell
21. Jasmin Strange
22. Viena Tinao
23. Tamika Upton
24. -

Development players
Jacinta Carter, Evie Jones, Tazmyne Luschwitz, Tylah Vallance

Last spot should be England halfback Georgia Roche. Already listed in the profiles on the club's website but no official announcement yet and still in England despite pre-season training starting earlier this week. Possible she’s having VISA issues.

Tamika Upton, Jesse Southwell & Yasmin Clydsdale all playing Origin tonight with Caitlan Johnston & Hannah Southwell not considered due to injury.

 

[Apey]

Pretty keen to see how Jesse goes tonight.

 

[Frederick]

 

[Burwood]

With the NRLW going from strength to strength, it will be interesting to see the impact on other codes- there’s the real potential to drain their top talent, especially now there’s a real international flavour to the league or that players are getting 5 year contracts compared to what an AFLW player can get (2 years max I think???).

My only question is, can players supplement their income by playing other sports? The season is so short, but clubs will want to protect their investments.

 

[General Knight]

Just watched some of the womens origin the other night just wondering how did they pick the teams when the season hasnt started yet? Is there another league somewhere they all play in?

 

[PhilGould]

NSW & QLD both have state comps that players had to be playing in to be eligible for Origin. Both wrapped up a month ago.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I reckon Upton was the difference in SOO 2. Incredible positional play.

 

[Apey]

Southwell had a mostly forgettable series. She's so young though, hopefully it doesn't rock her confidence. Upton though is the best player in the game and signed on for 5 years. At least that first grade side is excelling.

 

[aqua_duck]

Southwell had a mostly forgettable series. She's so young though, hopefully it doesn't rock her confidence. Upton though is the best player in the game and signed on for 5 years. At least that first grade side is excelling.

Yeh I think Southwell never really gelled with her halves partners, I’m not sure why Kirra Dibb never got a call up considering she was an incumbent (and one of NSW best last year) and then a premiership winner not to mention her and Southwell had an established combination.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Kirra Dibb was also player of the match in City Country. I don’t know what the point of that game is if you can have a blinder but not get picked for interstate Origin.

I’ve heard there’s a lot of politicking and playing favourites in the women’s Blues set up, even more than the men’s, you just don’t hear about it so much because there’s just not the same media coverage around the women’s game. They’ve frequently looked for excuses to not pick Kirra, so I can only assume she’s just not one of the coach’s favourites.

Jessie was the obvious selection for one halves spot even if she had a bad series, she was the best NSW half in NRLW last season. But Pearson is very average and the Dragons moved heaven and earth to get Raecene McGregor to replace her for this coming season, and Fuimaono couldn’t even keep her halves spot at NRLW level (got moved to centre). Very odd selections.

Besides Kirra, Tayla Preston would have also been a better choice in the halves, Brooke Anderson should have been in the side over Quincy Dodd, and it’s questionable whether Shaylee Bent is even NRLW standard let alone Origin level. Absolute non-entity. But one of the coach’s favourites I guess.