Emerging Talent Ready for the Spotlight
The NRLW competition is set to showcase a new generation of players in the upcoming 2026 season. Several young athletes are poised to make a significant impact, following in the footsteps of previous breakout stars like Jesse Southwell, Indie Bostock, and Shalom Sauaso. The season is scheduled to commence on Thursday night.
Among the promising new faces is Lillian Yarrow of the Broncos, a 21-year-old prop who debuted for Queensland in this year’s State of Origin Game Three. Having spent two years with the Cowboys, Yarrow has now joined the reigning premiers and is expected to develop under the guidance of international player Shannon Mato. Brianna Clark, an experienced forward, noted Yarrow’s enthusiasm and her embrace of the Brisbane team’s culture, predicting she will be a long-term Bronco.
The Bulldogs will feature Mary-Jane Taito, a hooker who excelled in the recent Tarsha Gale Cup season, earning her a spot in the Top 24 squad. Teammate Evelyn Roberts, a halfback, has also transitioned from the under-19 competition to the NRLW squad. Captain Tayla Preston anticipates both players will contribute significantly to the team this year.
For the Cowboys, Abigail Roache is set for a new role in 2026, moving from centre to five-eighth following Kirra Dibb’s departure. Roache, a regular in the Kiwi Ferns team, is seen as a dynamic running five-eighth. Lock Bree Chester highlighted Roache’s versatility, stating she can play multiple positions effectively.
Kasey Reh is expected to lead the Dragons’ attack in 2026, stepping into the void left by veteran Raecene McGregor. Reh, who has successfully transitioned from State of Origin Under 19, is already considered a leader within the group, according to captain Brooke Anderson.
The Eels have invested in Freedom Crichton Ropati, an 18-year-old winger and cousin of Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton. Crichton Ropati, who was player of the match in Parramatta’s Tarsha Gale Cup grand final victory, has a development contract for 2026 and a Top 24 contract for 2027 and 2028. Captain Mahalia Murphy expressed excitement about Crichton Ropati’s potential.
Sidney Taylor, a 23-year-old former Australian sevens team mainstay, will join the Knights in the centres for her debut season. Captain Yasmin Meakes is eager to see Taylor play, also highlighting Amelia Pasikala as another player expected to have a significant year.
At the Raiders, 21-year-old lock Lili Boyle, who debuted last season, has been added to the Top 24 squad after initially being on a development deal. Co-captain Zahara Temara expects Boyle to have a strong year.
Aliyah Nasio, a 20-year-old prop for the Roosters, is set to become a key player after steadily increasing her playing time since her 2024 debut. Despite being out for the first two games, captain Isabelle Kelly praised Nasio’s off-season work and anticipates a great year for her.
Madison Ashby returns to rugby league with the Sharks, marking a homecoming after playing a key role in the Sharks Tarsha Gale Cup victory in 2018 before moving to sevens. Coach Tony Herman noted Ashby’s versatility, capable of playing centre, fullback, or five-eighth.
Phoenix-Raine Hippi, a 19-year-old from the Titans, had a breakout debut season in 2025. Hippi, a fleet-footed back, earned a Queensland debut in the recent State of Origin series and is named to start in the centres for the upcoming clash with the Roosters. Captain Georgia Hale believes Hippi’s best is yet to come.
Ivana Lauitiiti, daughter of Warriors legend Ali Lauiti’iti, made an immediate impact last year, scoring a try on debut. The emerging forward played in six games during the Warriors’ return to the NRLW and represented the Kiwi Ferns in the Pacific Championships.
Finally, Namoe Gesa joins the Wests Tigers after a strong 2025 campaign with the Brisbane Tigers, where she helped win both the Under 19 and senior QRL premierships. The centre’s performances earned her a deal with the Wests Tigers, and an NRLW debut is anticipated this season, with skipper Kezie Apps looking forward to seeing her play.
Closing the Competitive Gap
The 2026 NRLW season is expected to be highly competitive, with rival clubs aiming to challenge the dominance of the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters. These two teams contested the 2025 Grand Final, with the Broncos ultimately securing the premiership.
Despite the Broncos and Roosters being considered the teams to beat, captains like Brooke Anderson of the Dragons and Yasmin Meakes of the Knights believe the competitive gap across the league is narrowing. Meakes noted that trial matches showed the Warriors challenging Brisbane, and the Roosters demonstrated squad depth despite player unavailability.
Significant player movements have occurred since last season. Jesse Southwell has moved from Newcastle to the Broncos, who also gained Shannon Mato but lost Mele Hufanga and Gayle Broughton to the Warriors, and Keilee Joseph to Parramatta. The Wests Tigers have added Shaylee Bent and Holli Wheeler, while Brooke Anderson transferred from Cronulla to the Dragons.
The Broncos are embracing the challenge of defending their title, with experienced forward Brianna Clark stating that retaining a premiership is a significant undertaking. The Knights, despite losing Southwell, have added representative half Kirra Dibb and are rebuilding with emerging junior talent. The Titans have also strengthened their squad with rugby sevens star Teagan Levi and Indie Bostock.
The Cowboys, who reached a home semi-final in 2025, will face the Broncos in Round 1 at Suncorp Stadium. Forward Bree Chester views this as an important test for their title aspirations. The Roosters, like the Broncos, are aware of the increased competition, with captain Isabelle Kelly acknowledging that changes have been made to their play style and combinations to prepare for the season. The ninth NRLW season will kick off on Thursday night when the Sharks host Newcastle at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Source: nrl.com
