But can the stars of the future stop the Broncos juggernaut in season 2022?

We’ve named the top-30 players ahead of the NRLW campaign below.

Have a look and vote on who you think will be the best NRLW player in 2022.

SCROLL DOWN TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BEST NRLW PLAYER

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1. ALI BRIGGINSHAW

Broncos, 32, halfback, 176cm, 12 games

The reigning Dally M Female Player of the Year (2020), three NRLW titles and back-to-back Origin wins for Queensland – there really is no one quite like Ali Brigginshaw. The 32-year-old continues to dominate the game from any position, in any team. Away from the game, the star halfback is a strong advocate for female sport and helped set up the Ali Brigginshaw Academy in 2021 to provide girls aged 12-17 a chance to train alongside her.

2. JESSICA SERGIS

Roosters, 24, outside back, 173cm, 10 games

The 2019 Dally M winner continues to impress at all levels of the game. Sergis scored 16 tries in 12 games for the Helensburgh Tigers last year, which saw the 24-year-old earn the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership club player of the year award in 2021.

3. KEZIE APPS

Dragons, 30, second row, 182cm, 9 games

The inaugural “best of the best”, Apps was the 2016 Dally M Female Player of the Year – and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. The Jillaroos and New South Wales representative is also the captain of the Dragons, which she led to the NRLW Grand Final in 2019. The barnstorming backrower continues to be a dominant force in the game.

4. KENNEDY CHERRINGTON

Eels, 23, second row, 164cm, 4 games

Her debut season in 2020 earned her the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and it’s not hard to see why. The 23-year-old produced some of the toughest hit-ups in the competition and became almost impossible to tackle. Her performance also saw her represent New South Wales in the 2021 State of Origin clash.

5. EVANIA PELITE

Titans, 26, outside back, 169cm, 4 games

The Olympic gold medallist has achieved almost everything in Rugby Sevens and now has her sights set on dominating the NRLW. Pelite was part of the historic Australian women’s Sevens squad to win gold at Rio before trying her hand at rugby league during the 2020 NRLW competition, starring for the Warriors. In her rookie season, she scored three tries, had two try assists, 22 tackle busts and four line breaks – in just three games.

6. TAMIKA UPTON

Broncos, 24, fullback, 7 games

The talented Brisbane fullback burst onto the NRLW stage in 2019 when she starred at fullback during the Broncos 30-6 Grand Final win over the Dragons. Since then, the Rockhampton product has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the best fullbacks in the game. Upton made her Queensland debut in 2020, playing at fullback, and scored one of the greatest women’s State of Origin tries.

7. ISABELLE KELLY

Roosters, 25, outside back, 170cm, 9 games

The Australian and New South Wales representative is one of the toughest centres in the competition. She was the 2018 NSWRL Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year, as well as the inaugural Women’s Golden Boot Award recipient.

8. MADDIE STUDDON

Eels, 27, halfback, 154cm, 8 games

Another tough competitor, Studdon will line up for Parramatta in their inaugural NRLW season. Studdon has represented both Australia and New South Wales and is one of the most experienced players in the competition.

9. DESTINY BRILL

Titans, 18, dummy half, 153cm, 0 games

She may not have played a game of NRLW yet, but her one appearance at the Origin level tells you all you need to know about Destiny Brill. The youngster scored the only try for Queensland in their 6-4 win over New South Wales and has the ability to become a star of the NRLW.

10. ROMY TEITZEL

Knights, 22, fullback, 176cm, 1 game

The former Bronco could become one of the signings of the year. The North Queensland product was named the best player in Queensland’s statewide female BHP Premiership last year, having scored nine tries in nine games along with 42 tackle breaks. Teitzel was part of Queensland’s extended Origin squad last year as she continues to improve.

11. MILLIE BOYLE

Broncos, 23, forward, 181cm, 8 games

The unstoppable Brisbane forward has become a force to be reckoned with since switching to rugby league in 2019. Boyle is a crucial member of Brisbane’s premiership-winning pack, which has also seen her go on to represent New South Wales. Her performance in 2019 saw her take out the NRLW Rookie of the Year award as well as the Broncos Best Forward award.

12. HANNAH SOUTHWELL

Roosters, 22, second row, 172cm, 9 games

The tackling machine is a weapon in defence. She may not be the tallest player around but she puts her body on the line to produce some of the biggest hits in the game. The former soccer player has gone on to represent New South Wales and Australia.

13. CORBAN BAXTER

Roosters, 27, outside back, 173cm, 7 games

The Maori All Stars and Roosters NRLW skipper is one of the fastest players in the competition. She has also helped out premiership-winning NRL coach Trent Robinson in a coaching capacity which highlights her incredible knowledge of the game.

14. BOTILLE VETTE-WELSH

Eels, 25, fullback, 173cm, 6 games

You only need to check out her highlights reel to see just how quick the Blues fullback and Maori All Stars representative is. She has been the New South Wales fullback for the past three Origin clashes and is a handful for any defensive line.

15. TARRYN AIKEN

Broncos, 22, halfback, 167cm, 8 games

The quiet achiever has quickly become a household name in the women’s competition. After bursting onto the scene in 2019 when she made her debut for the Broncos, Aiken has gone on to steer the side to two premiership wins, as well as making her Queensland Origin debut in 2020. She’s learnt from the best – Ali Brigginshaw – since switching to rugby league from touch football and has become an elusive ball-running playmaker.

16. TIANA RAFTSTRAND-SMITH

Titans, 18, halfback, 0 games

Another youngster who has a bright future ahead of her, Raftstrand-Smith is preparing to play in her first NRLW competition for the Titans. The teenager has already played at the Origin level, representing Queensland last year and playing in the back row, and has proven capable of handling the big games.

17. EMMA TONEGATO

Dragons, 26, outside back, 165cm, 0 games

Another player yet to play an NRLW game but has already showed plenty of potential, Tonegato is a key signing for the Red V in 2022. The Olympic Rugby Sevens gold medallist is switching back to rugby league after playing for the Jillaroos back in 2013 and will be crucial for the Dragons success.

18. CHELSEA LENARDUZZI

Broncos, 26, forward, 178cm, 11 games

One of the most passionate and energetic players in the game, Lenarduzzi adds plenty of firepower to Brisbane’s forward pack. The three-time national shot put champion is a brick wall in defence and has been crucial to the Broncos and Queensland in their recent success.

19. TIANA PENITANI

Eels, 26, winger, 169cm, 6 games

The speed machine has her eyes on toppling the Broncos from the NRLW perch and that says everything about the star winger. The former Rugby Sevens star finished the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9’s tournament as the leading tryscorer and has since gone on to play for New South Wales and Australia.

20. TAZMIN GRAY

Titans, 26, forward, 174cm, 11 games

The sister of NRL star Jordan Rapana, Gray definitely possesses the family’s competitive gene. She has played for the Roosters, Broncos and Warriors, as well as Queensland, Australia and the Maori All Stars.

21. CAITLAN JOHNSTON

Knights, 21, forward, 3 games

The Indigenous All Stars forward adds plenty of experience and toughness to Newcastle’s forward pack this season. She was 18th player for the Jillaroos and represented the Prime Minister’s XIII as she continues to develop into one of the game’s most dominant forwards.

22. ZAHARA TEMARA

Roosters, 24, five-eighth, 175cm, 11 games

Temara is a foundation Roosters player and a stalwart of the women’s game. She is a Queensland, Australia and Maori representative and offers plenty of experience in the halves. Her playmaking ability is a threat to any opposition and will again be a key player in this year’s NRLW season.

23. RIKEYA HORNE

Eels, 22, outside back, 164cm, 7 games

A walking highlights reel, Horne is one of the most dangerous ball runners in the competition. She’s not only fast, but incredibly strong with 2019 data showing Horne being able to squat 140kg for three reps – more than twice as heavy as she is.

24. KEELEY DAVIS

Dragons, 21, dummy half, 163cm, 10 games

The youngster has enjoyed a meteoric rise in rugby league since making her NRLW debut for the Dragons as an 18-year-old. She puts her body on the line in every effort and she earned plenty of fans for her try-saving tackle on Kezie Apps during the Illawarra women’s grand final back in 2019. Davis has since gone on to represent Australia and New South Wales.

25. JULIA ROBINSON

Broncos, 24, outside back, 170cm, 11 games

One of the more imposing centres in the game, Robinson knows how to find the tryline. The Australian Defence Force truck driver has gone from strength to strength since making her rugby league debut in 2018. She has scored five tries across 11 games, along with 14 tackle breaks and 51 tackles.

26. ELSIE ALBERT

Dragons, 25, prop forward, 170cm, 3 games

Nicknamed the “PNG Jukebox” – because the hits just keep on coming. A fearsome defender and tough competitor, Albert is a key member of the Dragons engine room. The Papua New Guinea Orchids representative is sure to provide plenty of tackling highlights this season.

27. BOBBI LAW

Knights, 24, outside back, 159cm, 2 games

Law burst onto the scene in her debut NRLW season, scoring two tries in two games for the Roosters. The talented winger knows how to find the tryline and her performance saw her go on to represent the Prime Minister’s XIII and the Indigenous All Stars.

28. SIMAIMA TAUFA

Eels, 27, lock forward, 153cm, 9 games

The former Dally M Female Player of the Year is a stalwart of the Australian Jillaroos squad because of her powerful hit-ups and tough defensive efforts. She skippered the Roosters NRLW side in their 2018 season and continues to be a threat against any opposition.

29. HOLLI WHEELER

Dragons, 31, second row, 176cm, 7 games

A New South Wales and Australian representative player, Wheeler is a hard-running, tackle busting machine. She only picked up the game in 2017 but made an immediate impression the following year when she was voted as the Dragons first ever women’s Premiership Player of the Year.

30. STEPH HANCOCK

Titans, 39, prop forward, 172cm, 11 games

Last, but certainly not least, is a stalwart of the women’s game. Hancock – daughter of Maroons great Rohan – has done it all in women’s rugby league and has come back for a swan song with the Gold Coast Titans. A hard-running, tough-as-nails competitor, Hancock is living proof that age is just a number and expect some big hit-ups and even bigger hits from the powerful prop forward this season.