NRLW Report Card: Which clubs aced the 2023 season test?
In the last round of the newly expanded 10-team competition, PAMELA WHALEY looks at which clubs have passed and which teams have struggled in the NRLW report card.
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In the last round of the newly expanded 10-team competition, we take a look at which clubs have passed and which teams have struggled in the NRLW report card.
KNIGHTS
Won: 8, Lost: 1, Pts: 16, Points differential: 105
Grade: A
Season analysis: They came into this year as defending premiers and so far have lived up to the standards they set in 2022. Despite losing a handful players, the Knights have been consistent while growing week-to-week leading into the finals to claim the minor premiership for the first time.
Biggest issue: There’s not much to pick at with the Knights, who have had just one hiccup this season against North Queensland in round 2. But aside from a big win over the Eels in round 3 and wins over the Roosters and Tigers in the past fortnight, the Knights haven’t been blowing teams off the paddock. In many games they’ve relied on grit to get them across the line.
Standout player: Tamika Upton. She’s the best player in the game and the Knights rely so heavily on her in attack and she always delivers.
Glimpse into the future: With coach Ron Griffiths in charge the Knights have created the kind of tough, exciting team that Newcastle can be proud of. Long contracts for Upton, Hannah and Jesse Southwell as well as English half Georgia Roche bodes well for stability.
ROOSTERS
Won: 6, Lost: 2, Pts: 12, Points differential: 140
Grade: B
Season analysis: They have some of the biggest names in the game and started the season as premiership favourites. But as the competition has rolled on they’ve struggled with numerous injuries. A shock loss to Canberra in round 2 set them on a stunning five game winning streak but losing the top of the table clash with Newcastle in round 8 was another reality check.
Biggest issue: Injuries. When they’re fit and firing they are virtually untouchable, but losing Kiwi veteran Amber Hall early, followed by Jess Sergis, Shawden Burton, Shannon Rose and others to season ending injuries cuts down the depth significantly. They’ve recently signed up their assistant strength and conditioner to a contract too, which is a pretty stark sign of trouble.
Standout player: Kangaroos and Queensland five-eighth Tarryn Aiken has been incredible when the Roosters get a roll on and some of the things she’s capable of are plain freakish.
Glimpse into the future: Only Boyle, Keeley Davis, Otesa Pule and Pani Hopoate are signed beyond this season, but popular coach John Strange has extended his deal to the end of 2026 which will be a huge advantage when building a side again next year.
TITANS
Won: 6, Lost: 2, Pts: 12, Points differential: 14
Grade: B
Season analysis: They were unheralded to start the season but a mix of solid recruiting and local development players have created something special at the Titans. They’ve had a gutsy season so far and have lost only two games to Newcastle and the Roosters, while Lauren Brown’s boot delivered nailbiting wins over the Broncos and the Dragons.
Biggest issue: Losing Taliah Fuimaono in round 1 forced the Titans to field the youngest halves pairing in the game with teenagers Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Sienna Lofipo steering the ship. The grind of the season naturally got to the young pair who are still learning their craft, but their attack suffered.
Standout player: Evania Pelite has been a weapon at fullback for the Titans. Her footwork, skill and speed has been ever reliable across the season.
Glimpse into the future: Kiria-Ratu and Lofipo are future stars of the game, as well as Rilee Jorgensen, who has become something of a cult figure for her brutally efficient tackle technique. There’s plenty to like about the Titans for next year and beyond and most of their players are signed to multi-year deals.
BRONCOS
Won: 5, Lost: 3, Pts: 10, Points differential: 57
Grade: B-
Season analysis: It’s been a mixed season for the Broncos who have been dealing with personal trauma with teammates Toni Hunt and Lavinia Gould behind closed doors. However, they’ve held their head high and scraped into finals contention despite losing games they should have won.
Biggest issue: Lapses of concentration have meant that most of their games, aside from convincing wins against North Queensland and Canberra, have gone down to the wire. They’ve been brave, but brief moments of poor defence in games have let them down across the season.
Standout player: Rugby union convert Mele Hufanga has made an instant impact on the NRLW with unexpected speed and footwork. She’s scored eight tries in as many games as well as 52 tacklebreaks and 10 line-breaks.
Glimpse into the future: Most of the Broncos side is signed on for at least another season so there’s plenty of room for development in another season under Scott Prince.
RAIDERS
Won: 5, Lost: 3, Pts: 10, Points differential: -9
Grade: A
Season analysis: Not much was expected of the Raiders as a brand new team this year, but they shocked the competition with a win over the Roosters in round 2 and are still fighting for a spot in the finals leading into the last round. It’s been an incredible debut NRLW season for the club.
Biggest issue: Second-half fade outs have been an issue and it’s one of the key reasons they didn’t finish higher up the ladder. Zahara Temara, Simaima Taufa and Apii Nicholls are the most experienced players in the team, but a lot of their squad is young or new to the game and still learning how to grind.
Standout player: Zahara Temara has gone to another level in terms of controlling the tempo of a game and her cool head has helped the Raiders maintain composure. Her field goal to beat the Dragons 19-8 in round 4 is the perfect example.
Glimpse into the future: Nicholls, Temara and Taufa are all signed for next season, as well as about half of the team. There’s plenty to build on in 2024.
DRAGONS
Won: 3, Lost: 5, Pts: 6, Points differential: 6
Grade: C
Season analysis: The Dragons had a huge turnover of players from last season to this one, but coach Jamie Soward opted for a younger squad to help build for the future. They were unlucky not to finish higher after losing two games by one point and like many teams, they were cruelled with injuries from the outset.
Biggest issue: Their forward pack needed a bit more punch as well as more experience around the dummy half role. Raecene McGregor and Rugby Sevens convert Tyla Nathan Wong were strong in the halves, but they needed more go-forward to work with.
Standout player: Fullback Teagan Berry was far and away their best player and is among the standouts of the season as a whole. She leads the competition for tries (10) and running metres, averaging a whopping 223 metres a game.
Glimpse into the future: Jamie Soward has signed with the club for another few years, which prompted Berry to put pen to paper until the end of 2025. It’s an exciting base to build on but there’s very few players on the roster again for next year.
SHARKS
Won: 3, Lost: 5, Pts: 6, Points differential: 2
Grade: D
Season analysis: There was plenty of buzz around the Sharks as one of four new sides added to the NRLW. A lot of the team has played together before, but it’s taken a little longer for the team to click than first anticipated. Given the calibre of their playing group, the Sharks fell short of their own high expectations.
Biggest issue: Their attack has struggled to get going this year. An ankle injury to Jada Taylor through the first few rounds forced Emma Tonegato to switch between the halves and fullback, so her transition to five-eighth wasn’t as seamless as hoped. They then struggled for direction in games when they desperately needed someone to take charge.
Standout player: Ellie Johnston has had a super consistent season up front for the Sharks. The 22-year-old prop has scored four tries in eight games, made 162 tackles and only missed three and has been averaging 122 metres a game in what should be her breakout year.
Glimpse into the future: All of their big signings are locked in until the end of next season, so this is a huge building year for the Sharks who will be better for the experience in 2024.
TIGERS
Won: 2, Lost: 7, Pts: 4, Points differential: -50
Grade: C
Season analysis: Like most of the new teams except Cronulla, not much was expected of the Tigers as a brand new franchise in the women’s game. But like the Sharks, a lot of their players had experience as a team and won the Harvey Norman women’s premiership together in 2022. It showed in their early success with back-to-back wins but as the season has worn on they’ve crumbled under a huge injury toll.
Biggest issue: Their three biggest players Kezie Apps, Botille Vette-Welsh and Sarah Togatuki have been huge for the Tigers but they’ve struggled with their depth under that. Aside from a 48-10 flogging by the Roosters, the Tigers have been brave, though, and four of their six losses have been by six points or less.
Standout player: Sarah Togatuki has been immense up front in what is probably her best season yet in the NRLW, averaging 188 metres a game.
Glimpse into the future: There’s plenty of young stars in the Tigers team that will take time to develop. Local junior Losana Latu is a star of the future, but her season was cut short with a knee injury this year. Another pre-season under her belt will help her blossom.
COWBOYS
Won: 2, Lost: 6, Pts: 4, Points differential: -109
Grade: D-
Season analysis: It’s been a rough old season for North Queensland. They scored a shock win against the Knights in round 2 on the back of halfback Kirra Dibb’s kicking game, but otherwise their only other victory was a 16-12 slog against the Tigers in round 4.
Biggest issue: Inexperience has been the biggest issue at the Cowboys, which has become apparent as injuries took their toll across the season. As a result, the team changed almost every week and they couldn’t find any momentum to get going in the competition.
Standout player: China Polata, purely for her versatility across the team. This year she’s played on the wing, in the front row and at lock across eight games for the Cowboys.
Glimpse into the future: The Cowboys are keen to develop local players and they have a big nursery to of talent to farm North Queensland. But they’ll need more experience on their roster if they want to progress further in 2024.
EELS
Won: 1, Lost: 7, Pts: 2, Points differential: -156
Grade: E
Season analysis: Parramatta got off on the wrong foot and never quite recovered. A long-term injury to Elsie Albert, losing Rachael Pearson for the early rounds and then skipper Kennedy Cherrington suspended for four games has all added up. Their effort has been good, but it’s been a struggle.
Biggest issue: Aside from the obvious injury woes, the Eels are missing some experience in the middle and a bit of spark to break the game open. Aside from one game this season (they scored 22 points against Canberra) they haven’t been able to score above 16 points a game.
Standout player: Mahalia Murphy has been one of their most dangerous players on an edge with 42 tacklebreaks for the season and three tries.
Glimpse into the future: Pearson and Kennedy Cherrington have signed on for another two seasons, but there are 14 players in the squad off-contract at the end of the year. That’s good news, meaning they can make big changes for 2024.
Originally published as NRLW Report Card: Which clubs aced the 2023 season test?
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