NRLW 2022 season preview: Predicted finish for every club
As the NRLW kicks off for the second time in 2022, Martin Gabor previews every team and their predicted finish ahead of the season opener on Saturday.
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We’ve got grudge matches, redemption arcs and superstar signings coming up against their former sides, and that’s just the opening weekend of the NRLW season which promises to be the biggest one yet.
Footy fans have been treated to a double dose of NRLW after last year’s competition got pushed to the start of 2022, and we saw history made when Brisbane’s three years of dominance came undone by the plucky Roosters who snuck into the finals and then went all the way.
But they could so easily have missed the top four if not for a Zahara Temara field goal that saw them beat Parramatta 19-18 and finish above the Eels on points differential.
“That was my only field goal I’ve ever kicked,” Tamara told the News Corp.
“There was a lot of relief because that was our only chance to kick one.
“I don’t think a lot of people thought we were going to win it last year so we’re not feeling any pressure this year.”
It’s fitting then that the Roosters and Eels should kick off the 2022 season as part of a blockbuster triple-header at CommBank Stadium.
“CommBank is unreal,” Eels co-captain Simaima Taufa said.
“We didn’t get to play there until the third round last season. To have our first two games at home this season is a huge advantage for us, especially because there’s going to be a big crowd and our fans are unreal because they ride the highs and lows with us.
“My phone has been blowing up with people asking for tickets.”
Saturday’s showdown is just the first taste of what should be an epic weekend in the NRLW, with the Dragons and Titans facing off in a replay of last season’s semi-final.
The Dragons were too good on that occasion but ultimately fell short in the decider, but they can’t look too far ahead because Gold Coast has recruited well and should pile on the points this season.
The NRLW has then saved its best for last with the Knights hosting the Roosters on Sunday night.
It looks like a mismatch on paper based on last season’s ladder, and while the Knights didn’t win a game and the Broncos claimed the minor premiership, things will be very different this time around.
The Knights have raided Brisbane’s stocks with a couple of key buys,but you can never write off the Broncos as they chase a fourth title in five years.
There are night matches, a triple-header in Round 5 and more talent than you’ve ever seen before, and it won’t get any bigger than September 2 when last season’s grand finalists open the new Allianz Stadium.
ROOSTERS
Ins: Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Destiny Brill (Titans), Jada Taylor, Jasmin Strange, Jayme Fressard (Knights), Samantha Bremner, Shaniah Power (Titans), Shannon Rose.
Outs: Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights), Olivia Higgins (Knights) Simone Karpani (Knights), Tayla Predebon (Knights), Brydie Parker (injured), Hannah Southwell (Knights), Corban Baxter (pregnancy).
Last season: Premiers, 4th
Predicted finish: 2nd
Predicted top tryscorer: Isabelle kelly
Coach: John Strange
Captain: Isabelle Kelly
It was third time lucky for the Roosters last year, finally overcoming their grand final hoodoo to become just the second team to taste NRLW success.
They’ve recruited well with Destiny Brill sure to cause plenty of problems around the ruck, while veteran Sam Bremner will provide class out the back just a year after she had her second child.
The question is how they will perform now that every team will lift an extra gear when they play them, but that’s the sort of pressure star centres Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis usually thrive under.
EELS
Ins: Ash Quinlan, Brooke Anderson, Brooke Walker, Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Gayle Broughton, Losana Lutu, Luisa Yaranamua, Najvada George, Rima Butler, Ruby-Jean Kennard, Rueben Cherrington, Tayla Preston, Vanessa Foliaki, Zali Fay.
Outs: Emily Curtain (Titans), Nita Maynard (Broncos), Botille Vette-Welsh (injured), Fatafehi Hanisi (injured).
Last season: 5th
Predicted finish: 6th
Predicted top tryscorer: Gayle Broughton
Coach: Dean Widders
Captain: Tiana Penitani and Simaima Taufa
The Eels missed the finals in their first NRLW season but they are hungry for redemption after for and against kept them out of fourth spot.
They’ll be without star fullback Bo Vette-Welsh (ACL) but they’ve brought in rugby sevens legend Gayle Broughton who is tipped to revolutionise their attack.
Big things are expected of rookie half Losana Lutu who will partner former AFLW player Brooke Walker. Having two games in a row at CommBank Stadium is massive.
DRAGONS
Ins: Andie Robinson, Cassie Staples, Monalisa Soliola, Salma Nour, Shontelle Stowers, Tara McGrath-West, Zali Hopkins.
Outs: Madison Bartlett (Titans), Jaime Chapman (Broncos), Kody House (retirement).
Last season: Grand finalists, 2nd
Predicted finish: 5th
Predicted top tryscorer: Emma Tonegato
Coach: Jamie Soward
Captain: Kezie Apps
Jamie Soward’s first year in charge of the Red V was everything Dragons fans could have hoped for, and then some.
The club legend took over from a team that didn't win a game in 2020 and turned them into the best defensive unit and a joy to watch with Dally M winner Emma Tonegato tearing it up in her return to rugby league.
The only thing missing from their 2021 campaign was the trophy, and the question will be whether their new-look backline has what it takes to help them go one better.
TITANS
Ins: Annette Brander, Apii Nicholls, Emily Curtain (Eels), Hagiga Mosby (Broncos), Lauren Brown (Broncos), Madison Bartlett (Dragons), Rona Peters, Roxy Murdoch (Broncos).
Outs: Brianna Clark (Broncos), Destiny Brill (Roosters), Shaniah Power (Roosters)
Last season: Semi-finalists, 3rd
Predicted finish: 4th
Predicted top tryscorer: Evania Pelite
Coach: Karyn Murphy
Captain: Brittany Breayley-Nati
The Broncos have long been the top dogs in Queensland, but the Titans are ready to take over as they look to build on a finals appearance in their first season.
Discipline won’t be an issue with Jillaroos legend and former NRL Integrity Unit official Karyn Murphy taking over as coach.
Her experience in the halves will be crucial for a new-look spine which featured new recruit Lauren Brown at halfback and Apii Nicholls at fullback, with tackle-busting machine Evania Pelite moving to centre.
BRONCOS
Ins: Annetta Nu’uausala (Knights), Brianna Clark (Titans), Crystal Tamarua, Hannah Larsson, Jaime Chapman (Dragons), Jasmine Fogavini, Nita Maynard (Eels), Paige Parker (Knights), Shakiah Tungai, Sophie Holyman.
Outs: Millie Boyle (Knights), Lauren Brown (Titans), Hagiga Mosby (Titans), Tamika Upton (Knights), Roxy Murdoch (Titans), Nakita Sao (injured).
Last season: Semi-finalists, 1st
Predicted finish: 3rd
Predicted top tryscorer: Jaime Chapman
Coach: Kelvin Wright
Captain: Ali Brigginshaw
The Broncos have been synonymous with success but they’ll head into the new season without the defending premiers tag after a shock loss in the semis.
It’s a new feeling for the league’s toughest team who have also lost a plethora of talent in key positions, but that just means opportunities for new players.
Jaime Chapman has made the move north from the Dragons and is expected to relish the shift to fullback, while Nita Maynard will wreak havoc around the ruck for Ali Brigginshaw to pick apart opposition defences.
KNIGHTS
Ins: Caitlin Moran, Emmanita Paki, Hannah Southwell (Roosters), Jakiya Whitfield, Jesse Southwell, Kiana Takairangi, Makenzie Weale, Millie Boyle (Broncos), Nicole Nathan, Olivia Higgins (Roosters), Shanice Parker, Simone Karpani (Roosters), Tamika Upton (Broncos), Tamsin Barber, Tayla Predebon (Roosters), Yasmin Clydsdale (Roosters).
Outs: Annetta Nu’uausala (Broncos), Paige Parker (Broncos), Jayme Fressard (Roosters).
Last season: 6th
Predicted finish: 1st
Predicted top tryscorer: Tamika Upton
Coach: Ronald Griffiths
Captain: Hannah Southwell and Millie Boyle
No team has been more hyped than the Knights, and they’ll be out to deliver some much needed joy in the Hunter after an awful year on and off the field for the NRL team.
Newcastle didn’t win a game in their first NRLW campaign but they have gone on a ruthless recruitment drive that has snared Broncos stars Tamika Upton and Millie Boyle, as well as the Southwell sisters.
Their forward pack now boasts plenty of NSW players with Boyle - the reigning co-Dally M Medal winner - keen to show up her former teammates in the opening round.
NRLW CAPTAINS’ CALL: RIVALS READY TO RATTLE ROOSTERS’ CAGE
Better Call Saul may have finished but the drama lives on with season five of the NRLW kicking off on Saturday with the Eels and Roosters doing battle at CommBank Stadium.
It’s the second season of the NRLW this year after Covid delayed the 2021 edition, and it’s also the last time the comp will feature six teams, with four new clubs set to join next season.
The Roosters are the defending champions and will open the new Allianz Stadium on September 2 when they face the Dragons in a grand final rematch.
They didn’t win a game last season, but all eyes are on the Knights after they launched a recruitment drive that landed some of the biggest names in the game, including Broncos duo Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton.
It’s fitting that Newcastle will host Brisbane in the first week, with Boyle – the reigning Dally M medallist – keen to get one over her former teammates.
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Boyle shared the Dally M with former sevens star Emma Tonegato, and there are plenty of rugby league converts to watch out for this year, including Gayle Broughton at the Eels and Jesse Southwell at the Knights.
There are night games to look forward to double-headers before and after NRL games and a massive triple-header in Gosford to finish the regular season on September 18 before the finals stars.
MILLIE BOYLE (Newcastle Knights co-captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I think every team is a threat, but you can’t put it past the Roosters because they won it last season. In saying that, the Broncos will come out firing after what happened in the semis. I think the Roosters are the dark horses even though they won it last year.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
Jesse Southwell has just come over from rugby sevens, and I’ve honestly never seen a player like here. She’s a combination of Hannah Southwell and Tamika Upton, which is freaky. She’s only 17 but she could have been playing in the comp a few years ago if she was old enough. She’s fresh from a gold medal at the Comm Games so she’s ready to make her mark on the NRLW.
Who is the best player not at your club?
You can’t go past Emma Tonegato. There are a few I could have said, but we saw just how much of an impact she had on the Dragons and also for NSW. She’s got a wealth of experience from sevens and she runs bloody hard for someone who’s smaller than me.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
The Roosters. I was at the Broncos for a while and it was always a bit of competition between those two teams. We always had that rivalry.
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
It’s having that depth of talent because we’ve got four new teams coming into the comp next year. That’s almost double what we’ve got now, and that’s a big leap because there are some teams that already struggle with depth as is with six teams. It’s still a while until that next generation of girls comes through, so until we see that flock of development players, I think we might struggled to field 10 competitive teams next year. But you’ve got to grow and hopefully we see it grow. We were stuck on four teams for too long so it’s good to see it grow, but it’s a fine line.
SIMAIMA TAUFA (Parramatta Eels co-captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I’d have to say Newcastle because they have some awesome recruits that have come in. The likes of Hannah and Jesse Southwell combining is scary because they’ll have something to prove as sisters. The team looks united and they’ve got a couple of home games which will make them a force.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
Our little half, Losana Lutu. She’s come through the Tarsha Gale system at Wests Tigers, and through all her hard work in the Harvey Norman system, she’s been rewarded with a position in the Eels team. She’s young but she’s so mature for her age and she has unbelievable talent. She leads the team at training and we’re confident she’ll be able to showcase that on the big stage.
Who is the best player not at your club?
The way Ali Brigginshaw steers the Broncos around is second to none. Her game knowledge and her ability to perform under pressure really stands out. Millie Boyle has such an engine and she’s always willing to truck it up for you.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
The team I really want to beat this year is the Roosters. The way we went down to them in golden point still hurts so we’re looking for redemption. They’re the premiers so who wouldn’t want to beat them!
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
The biggest issue is the whole misconception of the women’s game. There are people out there who think we’re full-time athletes, but we’re not. We all have full-time jobs and we’re trying to balance this semi-professional life. We juggle so much on our plates with some of us being mothers, sisters and being good daughters to our parents. It’s tough trying to balance what we do on the field with what we do with work when we don’t really have much time. The expectation is we have endless time and we are financially sound, but it’s a struggle. We’re getting there, but it’s still a balance.
KEZIE APPS (St George Illawarra Dragons captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I don’t think we’ll know until the games start, and it’s hard to know because the season is so short so it feels like finals from the outset. Any team could have a bad day and that could ruin their season.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
We’ve got a few. I feel like Keele Browne is going to come out of her shell this year. She killed it wherever she was put last season. Page McGregor was underrated last season but we know what she can do. I think Monalisa Soliola will be great for us this season.
Who is the best player not at your club?
There are so many amazing athletes in all the teams. I’ll say Millie Boyle.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
The Roosters because we obviously lost to them in the grand final.
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
The transition from Harvey Norman Premiership into NRLW. I think the two comps need to be more aligned in a sense that you don’t just go straight from Harvey Norman into NRLW. I think it should be NRLW with Harvey Norman being played alongside it and then you can use it as a filter like first grade into a second tier so it acts as a pathway. I feel like the comps are fighting against each other.
BRITTANY BREAYLEY-NATI (Gold Coast Titans co-captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I think it’s going to be really unpredictable. The Roosters are going to come out hard, but I think the Knights are the team to beat.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
We’ve seen her on the big stage before, but I think our fullback Apii Nicholls is one to watch. She’s an amazing human and an even better footy player. She’s probably gone a bit off the radar because she had a baby, but she’s back and fitter than ever. I can’t wait to play with her.
Who is the best player not at your club?
There are so many to choose from. Millie Boyle is just so tough and she’ll always be there to do your hard carries. If we’re looking at the backs, Tamika Upton is in a world of her own. She’s electric for every team she plays for and I’m tipping her to do big things at Newcastle.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
I don’t think that’s even a question. It’s the Broncos. It was good to get the win over them last season, but it’s their home game this year.
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
I coached a local team this year and the big thing for me was seeing the gap between the elite level and the grassroots. That team was only two divisions lower but the gap was huge. We need to get the focus back on the girls who are developing but aren’t getting the support they need to bridge the gap to the NRLW.
ALI BRIGGINSHAW (Brisbane Broncos captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I can never name another team. I’m very strong on that. I don’t talk about other teams and who they have.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
Sophie Holyman is a union convert who will go well and then there’s Jasmine Fogavini. They’re two girls who are very inexperienced, but they’ve blown my mind at training.
Who is the best player not at your club?
Emma Tonegato. I played alongside her at the World Cup in 2013 and she was impressive then, but she’s been outstanding since she came back to league after an amazing career in sevens.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
I’m going to say it’s got to be the Titans. It’s always special when the Queensland teams play each other.
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
I’m a little bit nervous about the expansion, just with how the salaries are going to go with that. We want more teams and more games, but will salaries increase enough to cover us to be together a lot longer and play more games. We also have to fill those squads, and I wouldn’t want to see the comp go any higher than 10 teams. We need more games and to see salaries increase.
ISABELLE KELLY (Sydney Roosters captain)
Which team apart from your own is most likely to win the comp?
I think the Broncos are always the team to beat. No matter who they lose, they’re always really strong because they recruit so well. They’re going to have a big year.
Who is the hidden gem at your club?
Kalosipani Hopoate has played a Test match for Tonga and she was really strong in that. She will provide plenty of aggression coming off the bench, so I think she’ll be unreal for us.
Who is the best player not at your club?
Emma Tonegato was amazing last season and I think she’ll be brilliant again this year.
Who is the team you love to beat the most?
I’d have to say the Broncos because we’ve always had a bit of a rivalry.
What is the biggest issue in women’s footy?
Playing in NRLW and then going back to your local team is quite hard on the body. Hopefully we’ll just have one professional team one day.
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Originally published as NRLW 2022 season preview: Predicted finish for every club
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