Ellie Niki, Ana Malupo and Latoniya Norris selected to Cowboys NRLW squad

A trio of Territory rugby league stars have taken a huge step in their sporting journeys after linking up with an NRLW side for preseason. Find out what this opportunity means.

The North Queensland Cowboys NRLW preseason squad.

A trio of NT rugby league stars have earned selection to join the Cowboys NRLW preseason squad on the back of successful showings on both the local and national stages.

Darwin Brothers players Ellie Niki and Latoniya Norris as well as Ana Malupo, who is a Northern Sharks junior, were selected to train with the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRLW preseason.

The exciting opportunity comes after plenty of hard work and success both in the NRL NT, where the Brothers have dominated, and away on representative duties.

Norris and Niki are both Gaynor Maggs best and fairest winners in the NRL NT competition, with Norris having already played for Wynnum in the BMD premiership and for the PNG Orchids.

Darwin Brothers' Latoniya Norris starred in the 2023 NRL NT season. Picture: NRL NT

Niki has also had a taste of action interstate playing for Canterbury in the Tarsha Gale Cup and at just 21 is regarded as one of the best running and kicking threats in the NT.

Meanwhile, Malupo moved to Townsville at the start of 2023, where she has already made waves with the Central Tigers and was voted Queensland’s top first grade player last year.

Their success caught the eye of Cowboys head coach Ricky Henry, who called the trio into the squad for the two-month preseason.

And while all the contracted spots have been taken the trio will have their chance to prove what they can do in two trial games to put themselves in the spotlight for future selection.

Ellie Niki and Charlie King as the Darwin Brothers celebrate winning the 2023 NRL NT grand final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

NT Titans women’s coach Leon Cleal has had front row seats to their development and said it was a well-deserved opportunity for them.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the girls, they get to train with the Cowboys for two months, so they’re really in the professional environment now,” Cleal said.

“These girls are rugby league through and through, their attitude towards training and their accountability around performance is what sets them apart.

“I’m super proud, it’s great and it’s something we’ve been working towards to get some girls to that level, and we’ve been saying for some time that it isn’t far away.”

Cleal said he still talked to the girls every second night to talk through what’s going on and how things are going in their new world of professional league.

Ana Malupo has starred since moving to Queensland. Picture: Courtney Thomson.

He said it would also be an inspiration for the next group for girls coming through, proving Territory players can get to the top.

“They’re loving it, they may be a little behind on the physical side but skills wise they’ve very competitive,” he said.

“They understand where they’re at and are putting in the extras to get to where they need to be.

“Latoniya and Ellie have been heavily involved in the development of the juniors at Brothers, and with Titans, they already understand what they put into the game they will get back out.

“That’s what’s important for me, we’ve always had the saying Our Legacy, Our Story for our girls and hopefully this will give inspiration to the next groups of girls coming through in the Territory.”

Originally published as Ellie Niki, Ana Malupo and Latoniya Norris selected to Cowboys NRLW squad