We look at the NRLW’s next generation of talent with 30 Tarsha Gale Cup stars ready to shine in 2024
With the NRLW on the rise and expanding, the next generation of young female stars are set to make their mark on the competition. We look at 30 of this year’s Tarsha Gale stars set to step up in 2024.
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We’ve seen the growth of the NRLW before our eyes with competition expansion and the game rising to new levels.
That is only set to continue with the Tarsha Gale Cup fostering the game’s elite young talent and priming them to take the next step.
We look at 30 players who starred this year in the U19s competition and are on the radar for NRLW in 2024.
ABBY AROS
Didn’t start at fullback for the Bulldogs until round seven this season, before making the jersey her own. Starred in the finals as they made the grand final. Experience with the Dragons NRLW Academy last year paid off.
YASMINE BAKER
Her time in the Tarsha Gale system at Penrith has been amazing, netting a player of the year and MVP award over the last two seasons. A livewire fullback who really attacks the game, the captain made people take notice after a good showing for the City U19s.
CHARLOTTE BARWICK
One of the strong Newcastle core who helped the team make the prelim finals. Converted a very good showing for the Country U19s into a NSW U19s jersey where she was named as the replacement. The centre is very good defensively.
CHARLOTTE BASHAM
A second rower for Illawarra who made a huge impression this season. Claimed the Steelers’ player of the year award and was rewarded for a great ASSRL winning campaign with selection in the Australian Schoolgirls.
Captained the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy to the Tarsha Gale premiership last year, her second in a row with the side. An Australian Schoolgirls representative who is tough on the field and has the right attitude to go far in the sport.
KRYSTAL BULMER
The Central Coast talent was an integral part of the Roosters Indigenous Academy’s premiership. Provided some nice touches at fullback that saw her earn a Country U19s jersey. With a touch background, Bulmer can really go on with it from here.
MARLEY CARDWELL
The young woman from Orange was a standout for Penrith this season, earning player of the year honours and getting through a mountain of work as an undersized prop. That saw her claim both Country and NSW honours where she did not disappoint.
TARLI DENNIS
Started the year as a replacement and ended as Canterbury’s player of the year and was narrowly away from a grand final win. The Kamilaroi woman was one of the competition’s premier dummy halves and is now taking on older players for Milperra.
DEBBIE DOUEIHI
Captained the Parramatta side this year and was among their best at the fullback position, named the club’s best back. A City U19s representative who also represented at the National Championships, her utility value would be a key for any team.
CHARLOTTE EATHER
A real success story of the Tarsha Gale Cup, with the Gunnedah girl making it big for Canterbury this season. Earned her spot and held it, with her speed and tactical awareness ensuring she nabbed Country U19s honours.
In a tough year for the Rabbitohs, Fallon was one of the standouts, earning her place in the South Sydney junior reps team of the year. After making the team of the tournament at the National Championships, Fallon then went on to represent the NSW U19s.
STEPHANIE FAULKNER
Capped a stellar year for the Cronulla Sharks by being named as their female pathways player of the year. A back rower in the NSW Sky Blues Academy, she has also played in the halves at club level for Cronulla Caringbah. Defensively sound and tough as nails.
TATIANA FINAU
Really impressed for Canterbury this season as a devastating ball runner in the back row. Graduated to earn City U19s honours after coming across from New Zealand and also made the NSW U19s squad. A handy goalkicker who is slotting them for Milperra.
KAYLA FLEMING
The young talent from Cooma looks firmly on the Raiders radar. A previous player of the year for Canberra in the Tarsha Gale Cup, the daughter of former Jillaroo Nicole Pollard-Fleming showed her versatility and utility value this year as a lock and hooker.
LARA GEORGE
Came out on top as North Sydney’s best player for the year, an incredible feat considering teammate Grace-Lee Weekes is in the NRLW system now. A fearless lock forward who plays the game hard and direct, and is doing just that for Wentworthville at a higher age grade.
LITIA FUSI
A powerhouse signing for Canterbury who proved an absolute force in the centres throughout the season. Claimed City jerseys at the U19s and National Championships level before representing the NSW U19s, including a player of the match honour for the City U19s.
AALIYAH HAUMONO
One of Manly’s best in a challenging season, the daughter of former first grade star and boxer Solomon looks set to take the next step. A crafty half or fullback with silky skills, Haumono is also a talented basketball player and a top performer in a strong Redfern side.
IMOGEN HEI
In a star-studded Roosters Indigenous Academy, Hei has been able to shine bright in 2023. Still eligible for U18s, the young dummy half took home the coach’s award for her club and was a menace around the ruck for the opposition. Continuing that form with Bondi.
NOARIA KAPUA
Added a classy element to Canterbury’s side that made the grand final. A strong second rower who thrives on keeping the play alive with her offloads, and can also kick goals. Chosen in the NSW U19s squad and is performing strongly for Milperra at open level.
CLAIRE KENNEDY
Was one of the Wests Tigers best in a tough season, claiming best forward and players’ player awards. A previous Australian Schoolgirl, Kennedy looked good on an edge throughout the year and can take the next step in a good Tigers women’s setup.
CHELSEA MAKIRA
Classy halfback who captained the Bulldogs through the Tarsha Gale Cup season. Got the nod as hooker for the NSW U19s against Queensland where she performed very strongly. Taking on the older women for Milperra and has over 11k followers on TikTok.
Rugby league will be desperate to keep her. A very talented outside back for the Roosters Indigenous Academy and City U19s has also made union rep sides coming up through the ranks. Elusive and the latest young gun from the Central Coast.
LEAH OLLERTON
Led her Newcastle side as skipper to a preliminary final. A crafty dummy half who came off the bench for the NSW U19s, Ollerton was a regular standout throughout the Tarsha Gale season and looks a likely type to take the next step.
ASHLEE POTTINGER
Took the reins as Parramatta dummy half and was a standout, claiming best forward honours for the side. Doing good things for Wentworthville at an open level, and displays her weightlifting background with her overall strength in all facets of the game.
LATISHA SMYTHE
A dominant force in the front row for the Bulldogs throughout the year, resulting in selection for the NSW U19s. Has a great offload that saw her win the Coach’s Award with Canterbury and is now tearing it up for the Milperra Colts.
MIA-ROSE WALSH
Showed her skills with a brilliant season in the backline for the Steelers, getting on the scoresheet regularly. What was most impressive was her defence in 2023. Part of the NSWCHS team that were crowned ASSRL champions.
GRACE-LEE WEEKES
One of Norths’ most consistent this season and now with Asquith. Played for NSW City in the National Championships where she was named as one of the wingers of the tournament, as well as scoring a try for the NSW U19s.
LILLY-ANN WHITE
Coming off a superb season for Newcastle where she was honoured with the player of the year gong. A classy fullback who knows the right time to chime in. She was a standout for NSWCHS in their ASSRL Schoolgirls success.
SIENNA WILLIAMS
Got the nod for the coveted NSW U19s fullback jersey ahead of some extremely regarded players. That came after she lit it up for North Sydney at Tarsha Gale level after getting her shot at the HNWP last year at just 18 years of age.
The younger cousin of Penrith star Isaiah Yeo, Sienna is set to make a name in her own right in years to come. A organising half with the Steelers, Yeo is a late comer to rugby league but has wasted little time in getting adjusted, including earning a Country U19s jersey.
Players currently in NRLW squads as contracted or development players were not considered.
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