Lisa Fiaola Cup: 28 future NRLW stars to watch in exciting new rugby league competition
The Lisa Fiaola Cup is underway, giving us a first look at some of the rising stars of female footy in NSW. Check out our list of the potential future NRLW stars to watch in the competition.
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The Lisa Fiaola Cup is a reformed competition for U17 female footy players in NSW.
The competition is a great stepping stone for young players wishing to follow pathway systems to play Tarsha Gale Cup footy and beyond.
In previous years the competition was a one-day event, played in a gala-day format.
The competition is now played across four weekends in a traditional league format.
Check out our list of 28 rising female stars of the game to watch during the competition and in the future.
BELLA MORRIS (Manly)
Hooker and captain of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Bella is a local junior with the Narraweena Hawks.
She has played junior touch football with the Northern Beaches Renegades and played her first season of junior rugby league in 2022.
TYRA DYMOCK (Manly)
Daughter to current Manly NRL Assistant Coach and former Clive Churchill Medal winner in 1995, Jim Dymock, Tyra is another rising star in the Manly ranks.
The centre picked up an assist in her side’s narrow round one loss.
MANILITA TAKAPAUTOLO (Canterbury Bankstown)
Manila is an edge backrower who brings a lot of energy to the forward pack.
She takes a lot of strong hard carries that make her a lot to handle.
FAUSTINA AKEJE (Canterbury Bankstown)
A prop who brings some insane close contact metres every game.
She is also very defensively solid.
AMIRAH EL-ANDALLAH (Canterbury Bankstown)
A five-eighth with a good head for the game and plays a lot of eyes up footy.
Amirah has a really smart running game and pinpoint kicking accuracy.
GRACE LEIATAUA (Canterbury Bankstown)
A highly energetic lock forward for the Dogs.
Strong in defence with great tackle technique awareness.
MARNIE ISEMONGER (Cronulla Sutherland)
The daughter of former Sharks tackling machine Sam Isemonger, Marnie has rugby league pumping through her veins.
With a background in League Tag, the Como-Jannali Crocs junior is dependable with the ball and a player to watch in the No. 6 jersey.
MIKAYLA LANGER (Cronulla Sutherland)
Another Crocs junior, Mikayla has been tasked with controlling Cronulla’s ruck.
A strong defender, the hooker also possesses a slick pick-up-and-go and can be absolute dynamite from dummy-half.
MADDISON SHATTE (Cronulla Sutherland)
A powerful front-rower, Maddison is one of the team’s more experienced players having spent time training with the under-19 Tarsha Gale Cup squad.
Having commenced her journey at Cronulla Caringbah Sharks, look for her to lead from the front and bend the opposition line.
JESSICA STONESTREET (Cronulla Sutherland)
The side’s lock and inspirational all-rounder. Jessica comes from the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks and thrives in the heat of battle.
A hard runner with the ball, she can also be relied upon to lift her teammates with thunderous contact in defence.
KIANI AND KIRRAWAHN DUCKETT (South Sydney)
With older sisters Lateia and Tymekqwa currently playing for Souths in the Tarsha Gale and Harvey Norman competitions, Kiani and Kirrawahn were destined to follow in their footsteps.
Both highly skilled, the La Perouse United juniors are set to become an integral part of Souths’ campaign.
Smooth across the turf, Kiana is a threat from either half or centre and according to coach Brad Costello, wouldn‘t be out of place in the Tarsha Gale Cup
Kirrawahn is super aggressive, and the ball-playing lock loves nothing better than dominating the middle with her powerful shoulders in defence.
HANNAH KALLAND (South Sydney)
Hannah is a powerful middle forward who doubles on the rep scene in rugby union.
Big and strong, the Lapa junior tackles hard, runs hard and is sure to put her opponents on the backfoot.
KIARA MCGREGOR (South Sydney)
A playmaker on the rise, the Marrickville Queens half has already featured on the international scene.
Representing Malta, last season Kiara featured from the bench against Lebanon. Known for her willingness to take the line on, she’s also a keen student of the game known for controlling a contest with precise kicking.
ANGEL SCHAAFHAUSEN (Wests)
A lock forward with some serious skill levels that make her one of the biggest threats for the Tigers.
A quiet achiever, going about her work with minimal fuss and leading through her actions.
ABBEY HAMILTON (Wests)
A prop forward who leads the front rowers through her actions.
Has come through the pathways at the Wests Tigers and the club is hopeful she will continue to rise the ranks.
ELLA ROPATA (Wests)
A highly skilful halfback who is instrumental to the Wests Tigers creativity on the park.
Described by her coach as “an amazing young player”, she is definitely one to keep her eye on.
PAIGE ATTARD (Wests)
A skilful hooker who has come through the pathways system at the Wests Tigers.
Her experience training with the Tigers Tarsha Gale squad will be invaluable in a league comprised of young and developing players.
ODESZA and ALAIANNE TOIA-ALAIMALO (Parramatta)
It’s not unreasonable to assume Parramatta’s charge this season will be propelled by twin props.
With a background in rugby union, sisters Odesza and Alaianne have grown up mixing with and against boys on the footy field, and will have no thoughts of taking a backwards step for the Eels this season.
DANIELLE SECKOLD (Parramatta)
A good communicator with steely defence, Danielle is a perfect fit for Parra’s No. 6 jersey.
With a strong carry, she also likes to run, and was rewarded with two tries in the opening round match against Cronulla.
AALIYAH SOUFAN (Parramatta)
An All Saints Toongabbie junior, Aaliyah is a creative halfback who has been honing her craft for several years.
Behind a strong forward, watch for her to ignite the Eels electric backline.
INDI BOSTOCK (Illawarra)
A promising centre looking to kick off her Steelers journey in the Lisa Fiaola Cup.
A good footy head, very creative and runs a great line.
KASEY RAH (Illawarra)
The ship steerers for the Illawarra Steelers, Kasey has had experience training alongside the Tarsha Gale side.
A creative halfback and a good organiser, who has an old head on the field despite her young age.
CALEY TALLON-HENNIKER (Illawarra)
An exciting young fullback with plenty of potential.
With great foot speed and acceleration off the mark, Caley has also caught the attention of an entirely different code with the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-Leagues.
HEREWAKA POHATU (Illawarra)
A five-eighth/lock who is handy in both attack and defence.
Herewaka is an off the cuff player, who can work her magic and create chances for herself and her teammates.
BETHANY TO’O (Penrith)
With the try-scoring nous of brother and dual-premiership winning Panther Brian, Bethany is a quick stepping centre with an Oztag background.
Definitely one to watch, she blew away the Rabbitohs in the opening round with four tries.
MATILDA VELLA (Penrith)
An Emu Plains junior, Matilda is a positive playmaker with a wide array of skills suited to the No. 7 jersey where she can be expected to orchestrate the majority of Penrith’s attack.
NAIOKA TUIPULOTU (Penrith)
Naioka is a scheming hooker, just as capable of delivering in the halves.
A product of the St Marys club, she can read the game and knows her way across the stripe
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