NRLW Market Watch: Dragons gun Teagan Berry knocks back big offers from NRLW rivals
The Dragons have scored a huge win under new coach Nathan Cross, with star fullback Teagan Berry shunning offers from rivals to stay loyal to the club. NRLW SIGNINGS NEWS
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Teagan Berry has knocked back big offers from the Roosters and Broncos to agree to a one-year contract extension with St George Illawarra.
In a massive boost for the Dragons and new coach Nathan Cross, the NRLW’s highest tryscorer has agreed to terms keeping her at the club until the end of 2026.
At 22, Berry is one of the biggest stars in the women’s game and on the verge of taking the next leap into representative honours in 2025.
She has been one of the hottest players on the NRLW free market and toured a handful of clubs as she decided her future, which remains open beyond the end of 2026.
However, the decision to stay with the Dragons has ultimately come once the club offered her a big-money deal to stay loyal as they build a young team around their star fullback into the future.
“Extending Teagan was a priority for us heading into the new season,” Cross said.
“She’s one of the game’s stars and has been a really important member of the squad for a number of years. She’s really starting to come into her own on and off the field and has been quite diligent in trying to perfect her craft as a fullback.
“Everyone knows about her try-scoring ability but being a great fullback means being great at the little things too and she’s beginning to understand that. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Teagan.”
Berry’s commitment adds to a now impressive roster at the Dragons with former Newcastle skipper Hannah Southwell and ex-Wallaroos forward Grace Hamilton on board for 2025.
CHOOKS SECURE GRAND FINAL STAR
Sydney Roosters have locked down a handful of premiership-winning stars in recent weeks including star half Jocelyn Kelleher.
The 25-year-old has signed a two-year extension with the Roosters, keeping her at the club until the end of 2027.
It follows a huge season for the Central Coast talent after leading the club to the grand final with her kicking game, finishing top of the 2024 competition for points scored with 78 for the year.
It’s a boost for the Roosters after their premiership-winning run last season, with Australia and NSW representative hooker Keeley Davis also re-signing for the next two seasons, and Kiwi Ferns forward Amber Hall committing for 2025.
It also keeps the bulk of the spine together after the retirement of Sam Bremner at the end of 2025.
Bremner’s spot at No.1 is expected to be filled by returning star Corban Baxter, who is recovering from an ACL injury she suffered in the NRLW pre-season last year.
EELS BOLSTER SQUAD
Parramatta have beefed up their squad with former Reds rugby sevens star Fleur Ginn signing for the next two seasons.
The three-time Queensland schoolgirls star made a switch to rugby sevens over the past four years, where she has represented Australia A, as well as winning gold at the Global Sevens tournament and Youth Olympics in 2023.
At the age of 18, she’s made her return to rugby league with the Easts Tigers and is now in line for her NRLW debut later this season.
SHARKIES RE-SIGN POWERHOUSE
Grand finalists Cronulla have re-signed powerful second-rower Rhiannon Byers until the end of 2027.
The rugby sevens convert took up an option for 2025 back in January but was upgraded with a further two more seasons.
It follows a breakout season for Byers in 2024 after her first NRLW season in 2023 ended suddenly with a broken wrist.
“The Sharks gave me the opportunity to fulfil the NRLW dream,” Byers said.
“I’m grateful for the Sharks and I’m just stoked they wanted to keep me here with them. It means a lot to me because I’ve never really had multi-year contracts.
“It’s nice to know the club appreciates me as a player. It brings that reassurance, but I also know I can keep pushing and being better each year for the Sharks. I think there are going to be some really good things coming this year.”
An extension for Byers comes as the Sharks continue to build a powerful squad for 2025.
Former Dragons half Tyla King will join the side, as well as ex-Knights forwards Jacinta Carter and Caitlan Johnston-Green, and former Titans half Chantay Kiria-Ratu.
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