NRLW Ultimate Guide: Players to watch in 2024 season who will shape premiership race
A history-making State of Origin has laid the groundwork for a bumper NRLW season. PAMELA WHALEY takes a look at the players who will define the premiership race from every club in 2024.
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A record-breaking State of Origin series has kicked off the women’s rugby league season with NRLW just around the corner.
Pre-season training has started in club land ahead of the seventh NRLW season, which starts at the end of July.
While the players sweat out in preparation, we look at the familiar faces and new recruits who will have the biggest impact on each club’s premiership hopes in 2024.
MELE HUFANGA (BRONCOS)
The Brisbane centre dominated in her first season of rugby league in 2023, scoring 10 tries in as many games and capping off the year with three tries in three games for New Zealand including a win over the Jillaroos.
The 29-year-old rugby union convert was almost unstoppable on her edge in attack, but with a season of experience under her belt the skill development will be even greater.
If she can add a defensive edge to her game it will take her to a whole new level.
GRACE KEMP (RAIDERS)
The former Wallaroos forward has is coming off her first season of NRLW in 2023, but is already considered one of the rising stars of the game.
The Raiders spotted her talent early and locked her up until the end of 2027 knowing she will only improve as time goes on.
At only 23 she’s now a NSW State of Origin player and made the transition into the most intense version of the women’s game look easy.
If she can bend NRLW defensive lines the same way she does for the Sky Blues, the Raiders will be in a good spot come September.
EMMA TONEGATO (SHARKS)
The former Australian Rugby 7s star is coming into her fourth season in the NRLW and the Sharks need her to take control in 2024 after a frustrating inaugural season.
Tonegato made the transition from fullback to five-eighth for the Sharks but never looked quite at home as she switched between the two positions to cover injuries.
At her best she’s electric, elusive and skilful but if she can command a game the Sharks will be all the better for it in 2024.
TALIAH FUIMAONO (TITANS)
The Gold Coast five-eighth suffered an ankle injury in the first round of last year and only just made it back on the field at the start of 2024.
Her absence caused a big reshuffle in the Titans backline and they still managed to make the NRLW grand final.
This year, her fitness will be key to stability through the spine and with a team stacked with talent, the Titans can go all the way.
JESSE SOUTHWELL (KNIGHTS)
At 19, the Knights halfback has two premierships under her belt and will be steaming towards a third.
The Knights side is packed full of talent without much change to the roster heading into 2024.
While fullback Tamika Upton is the best player in the competition, Southwell is key to giving her good ball, kicks to chase and maintaining pressure on the opposition.
KIRRA DIBB (COWBOYS)
The Cowboys had a tough first season in the competition in 2023, but the experience of halfback Kirra Dibb is crucial to turning things around.
Her combination with Queensland Origin hooker Emma Manzelmann and new recruit Jakiya Whitfeld could be the start of an exciting new era for the Cowboys.
The trio have plenty of points in them, but Dibb needs to create the chances.
KENNEDY CHERRINGTON (EELS)
The Eels skipper missed four games while suspended for a bad tackle in 2023 and the Eels suffered badly without her on the field.
Between the ban and injuries, it was a tough season for Parramatta who claimed the wooden spoon.
While halfback Rachael Pearson and prop Elsie Albert will add much needed direction and power to the squad, the Eels need the best of Cherrington in the middle as a ball-playing lock to truly turn things around.
TEAGAN BERRY (DRAGONS)
One of the fastest players in the NRLW, a big game for ‘Flash’ is more often than not the difference between winning and losing for the Dragons.
She has a knack for creating something out of nothing.
In her first season at fullback last year Berry took her game to a new level with 11 tries in 9 games and getting her involved as much as possible will be key for an even bigger season in 2024.
TARRYN AIKEN (ROOSTERS)
The Roosters team is stacked with superstars but they all depend on Queensland and Australia five-eighth Tarryn Aiken, who is one of the brightest creative talents in the NRLW.
Her kicking game and attention to detail add polish to the end of sets once the world class pack gets rolling.
If Aiken has another big season, the Roosters will be thereabouts again in 2024.
LOSANA LUTU (WESTS TIGERS)
The rising Tigers five-eighth only played three games last year thanks to injuries, but at 20 she’s one of the best young talents in the game.
The Campbelltown junior has signed until the end of 2026 and is a big part of the club’s future moving forward.
If she can find some stability in the halves she can have a huge impact on the Tigers attack in 2024.
PAMELA WHALEY’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
THE PLAYER I’M MOST EXCITED TO SEE: OLIVIA KERNICK (ROOSTERS)
The Jillaroos and NSW forward has steadily become one of the most improved players in the game in recent seasons and her energy on the field is infectious.
She’s a noted tryscorer, ballplayer and aggressive defender who regularly churns out big metres for her team.
Most recently she has taken her game to a new level in women’s Origin for the Sky Blues and that class should translate into success for the Roosters too.
THE RISING STAR WHO WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP: BRONTE WILSON (DRAGONS)
The 17-year-old is the second player to be granted an age exemption to make her NRLW debut after Knights halfback Jesse Southwell back in 2021.
Wilson, who will turn 18 a week after the cut off date (two weeks before the first game), is a prop with pedigree.
Her dad Shane played for the Steelers and the Rabbitohs in the 1990s.
After a big year with the Tarsha Gale Cup team in 2024 and spending last year as an NRLW development player, she’s ready to take the next step with the Dragons this season.
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Originally published as NRLW Ultimate Guide: Players to watch in 2024 season who will shape premiership race
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