NRLW Expansion: Bulldogs, Warriors next as clubs left in the dark on plans for 2025

Clubs vying for entry into the NRLW are growing frustrated over being kept in the dark on expansion plans with Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton declaring the club was ready ‘yesterday’.

Canterbury CEO Aaron Warburton says the Bulldogs were ready for an NRLW side “yesterday” as clubs vying for a licence grow frustrated over being kept in the dark on expansion plans in 2025 and beyond.

NRLW expansion is set to be high on the agenda when the ARL Commission meets on February 21, when it is expected the addition of two new licences will be given the green light.

Canterbury, New Zealand Warriors and South Sydney all submitted an expression of interest to join the NRLW in late August last year.

At the time, the NRL told clubs it would consider proposals for entry in 2024 with the Bulldogs one of the clubs prepared to join the 10-team competition immediately.

The NRL opted not to push forward with expansion for 2024, preferring to wait until 2025 before growing the competition.

“In an ideal world, our plans for next season would have started yesterday,” Warburton said.

“We respect the ARLC’s decision to place expansion on hold until 2025.”

While none of the clubs in the running have been notified of the status of their licence applications, it’s widely agreed that the Warriors and Bulldogs will join the NRLW in 2025.

But a timeline for expansion is yet to be communicated to clubs.

Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Warburton said any further delay would leave the club at risk of losing its best players to NRLW clubs building their rosters for the upcoming season, and who can offer multi-year deals.

“Our focus on our pathways for the past few seasons has started to bear fruit, however the risk is we will lose some of our best talent if we can’t offer our athletes a contract at the highest level,” Warburton said.

“We’re preparing the best we can without a licence, however we can only do so much.

“Belmore has already proven itself as a high quality NRLW venue, having hosted the game’s first double header in 2023. We have ample change room facilities and we are fully equipped to host rugby league at the highest level.

“Our club will celebrate 90 years in 2025 and we see it as a fitting time to unleash our NRLW side in the same year”.

This masthead contacted the NRL but it declined to comment on the record.

Monalisa Soliola has been part of the Bulldogs’ academy but plays in the NRLW for Canberra.

It’s understood the ARL Commission is considering feedback on NRLW licence applications and a road map for expansion beyond 2025 is currently being developed by the governing body.

South Sydney have submitted applications to join the NRLW on two prior occasions but CEO Blake Solly said the club is now looking to enter the competition after the Bulldogs and Warriors.

“We’ve expressed our interest in joining the competition in the next intake. But we also recognise that any expansion has to be sustainable, so if we aren’t selected it won’t change our attitude to women’s rugby league,” Solly said.

“This is a long term play, and we’ll continue to invest in our pathways teams until we get that NRLW licence.”

Like South Sydney, Penrith are looking to join the NRLW as soon as 2026 and have already secured financial support for the women’s program as part of the club’s newest major sponsorship deal with MyPlace.

The Dolphins are the only club in Queensland without an NRLW side but are working towards entry into the competition for 2028.

Originally published as NRLW Expansion: Bulldogs, Warriors next as clubs left in the dark on plans for 2025