25 for 2025: Current Tarsha Gale talents who can make the leap to the NRLW next season
The Tarsha Gale Cup is Australia’s premier underage women’s competition and pathway to the top flight. We look at 25 players who can make the leap towards the NRLW in 2025.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With the NRLW season well underway we’ve seen a number of young guns blooded and earning their shot at the top flight.
The U19s Tarsha Gale Cup serves as a leading pathway to the elite level and this year’s current crop is brimming with talent.
We take a look at 25 players who can make the leap to the NRLW in season ‘25.
Players who are signed to NRLW rosters (this year and next) or development deals were not considered.
LARA COSGROVE (CANBERRA)
An exciting outside back who knows her way to the line and can kick goals to boot as well.
Has taken that form back to the very strong Katrina Fanning Shield where she is impressing for the Woden Valley Rams.
ELISE SIMPSON (CANBERRA)
With a background in touch and union, rugby league would be wise to keep her in the game for as long as possible.
Genuine excitement machine at fullback who was among the competition’s leading scorers, the Raiders would be mad to let her go.
ABBY AROS (CANTERBURY)
Was in the mix for the NSW U19s after another strong season at the Tarsha Gale season, switching full-time to fullback.
Has such a good read of the game and that has seen her spend some time at the higher level, and looks a strong candidate for an NRLW contract with the Bulldogs.
AUDREY NADAYA-HARB (CANTERBURY)
Comes from an athletics background and that was on show throughout the year with her speed and strength.
A powerful winger who can also kick goals, she brings a lot of attributes to the table that can carve out a top NRLW player.
BELLA MCEACHERN (CANTERBURY)
The St Marys junior has been an unstoppable tryscoring force since making the move into the Bulldogs pathways system this year.
Led the team in scoring and has bagged a few at the HNWP level as well, a great sign with Canterbury on the cusp of NRLW.
FAITH VILI (CRONULLA)
The Sharks have shown a lot of faith in their young guns at NRLW level and is a real success story for league in Victoria.
Represented her state at the ASSRL Nationals last year and earned her place as a hard-running front rower in the Sharks side this year, making a big impact.
OLIVIA HERMAN (CRONULLA)
Took the reins as halfback and she led a strong spine for Cronulla to a preliminary final appearance.
Progressing through the grades at a nice pace and has worked her way up to leading the Sharks around the park in HNWP.
MARIA PASEKA (ILLAWARRA)
A flying winger who is enjoying the breakout season of her young career on so many levels.
After a good Tarsha Gale campaign, Paseka has gone on to represent the NSW U19s and has graduated to Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership level, where she finds herself among the leading tryscorers.
HOPE MILLARD (ILLAWARRA)
The daughter of former player Shane, Hope has played two strong seasons with the Steelers and earned Country honours, where she won the game with a try in extra time.
That led her to a NSW U19s position and she has gone on to make her HNWP debut this season as well.
RHIAN YEO (ILLAWARRA)
The Yeo surname is huge in Illawarra and the cousin of Panthers star Isaah is forging her own path to the top.
A talented second rower who performed strongly at the ASSRL Nationals, she’s earned her shot at HNWP level.
ALEKSANDRA TUNUFAI (MANLY)
The New Zealand-born centre or second row was one of the shining lights for Manly in their semi final season.
Looked the type to naturally progress and has done so as a regular in HNWP as a strong defender out wide.
INDIANA RUSSELL-LIA (MANLY)
Made a huge impression with her form for the Sea Eagles, particularly in the lead-up to the finals.
A strong runner of the ball as a front rower, Russell-Lia is a New Zealand underage representative who took out the Player’s Player Award this year.
LILI BOYLE (MANLY)
A former Rugby Sevens Australian Schoolgirls captain, Boyle has made a great transition to rugby league.
Played in the middle throughout the year and that form was rewarded by coach Keith Hanley in making her the starting centre from round one of HNWP.
MAKAAH DARCY (NEWCASTLE)
Newcastle is determined to keep its standing at the top of the NRLW with a host of young players already signed, and it wouldn’t surprise if Darcy was next.
The Dubbo-born lock plays tough as nails and was an understated part of the team’s run to the grand final this season.
LATISHA KAITAP (NORTH SYDNEY)
A feel-good story of a young woman from Moa Island in the Torres Strait who has gone from untested at junior rep level right through to reserve grade.
The Bears halfback has a great kicking game and she has been a regular for the Roosters in the HNWP throughout the season.
SIENNA DEELEY (NORTH SYDNEY)
The captain of the Bears who would regularly punch above her weight and do whatever role was asked of her.
Versatile enough to slot in anywhere in the middle, Deeley was rewarded with a HNWP deal with the Central Coast and even captained the side on the weekend.
RAPHAELLA PERIGO (PARRAMATTA)
Provides versatility as a five-eighth or dummy half, she brings plenty of skills and isn’t afraid to chance her hand.
It’s a point of difference that has seen her used as a utility for the Eels throughout the HNWP season and she would make a great 14 at the top.
RYVRR-LEE ALO (PARRAMATTA)
A lock forward who knows how to get across the tryline, Alo’s hot form saw her named as a NSW U19s representative.
In recent weeks has earned the call-up to Harvey Norman level and it seems a matter of if, not when she gets her shot at the elite level.
JALICE BROWN (PENRITH)
Was crowned the Panthers MVP for the Tarsha Gale season after performing well at the back throughout the year.
Blessed with pace and an evasiveness that makes her a valuable asset, Penrith will want to lock her down for HNWP next year before NRLW teams come calling.
ABBIE RITCHIE (SOUTH SYDNEY)
Recruited from Queensland by South Sydney for the Tarsha Gale Cup season and also has a judo background.
That strength saw her picked up by Corrimal as a leading light for the top team, and also rewarded with a HNWP position.
TANEISHA GRAY (ST GEORGE)
In what was a tough year for St George at the Tarsha Gale Cup level, the commitment of Gray could never be faulted.
A no-nonsense forward who is always putting her hand up to take the tough carries, resulting in her being picked up by the Central Coast in HNWP.
PHOENIX LAMESE (ROOSTERS)
Was named as the Roosters’ Forward of the Year and for good reason as she routinely owned the middle of the field as a hard running front rower.
Scored a few tries throughout the season as well and has been impressive for the Central Coast since stepping up to HNWP level.
TESS MCWILLIAMS (ROOSTERS)
Made the Australian Schoolgirls in what was a great reward for the Port Macquarie local after a good season in the back-row for the Sydney Roosters.
Was a dynamic force on an edge for the tricolours and her ability to kick goals at a decent percentage makes her an asset.
ABBIE HAMILTON (WESTS TIGERS)
Was one of the Tigers’ most potent attacking weapons along with current NRLW contracted player Tiana-Lee Thorne this season.
A powerful edge player who was at home in the centres but has also played second row in the strong Macarthur open women’s competition, she’s a very progressive type.
CHEYENNE BAKER (WESTS TIGERS)
A powerful forward who made the transition from Newcastle to the Wests Tigers this season as she looks to break into the top flight.
We’ve since seen her make the leap up to Harvey Norman level and she’s got herself across the stripe in what has been a challenging season so far.
Pathways prowess: 12 Wests Tigers squad talents who can shine in ‘25
A host of bright young female talents have been named in the Wests Tigers’ pathways squads for 2025. We take a deep dive into 12 players who can shape their fortunes in Fiaola and Gale Cup.
‘Wouldn’t have a club’: How PNG is saving Australian rugby league
While the NRL is looking to transform PNG with a new rugby league franchise, it’s clear that the benefits of footy diplomacy go both ways.