NRLW Tackle: Bulldogs sign Tayla Preston from Sharks as 2025 roster build begins, Hayley Maddick breaks records
Broncos fullback Hayley Maddick doesn’t get the plaudits she deserves, but five try assists will certainly get some attention. Plus, the Bulldogs announced their inaugural signing ahead of their 2025 NRLW entry and much more in THE TACKLE.
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Cronulla’s loss will be Canterbury’s gain next season.
Sharks halfback Tayla Preston isn’t one of the biggest names in the NRLW, but she’s one of the most effective players in the game.
The 24-year-old was announced as the Bulldogs’ first signing for the club’s inaugural season next year and as it stands, it’s already the bargain buy of 2025.
Off the back of her kicking game Preston has lead the Sharks to an unbeaten start following their 22-6 win over the Titans on Saturday.
She leads the competition for kick metres, and heading into the last few games of round six, she’s top of the competition for goals kicked too with 14 for the season.
A reliable goal kicker is priceless in the women’s game and Preston is proof.
Her sharp boot has handed them close wins against the NRLW premiers Newcastle and Parramatta so far, and given its such a short season, those four points will be vital come finals.
They’re currently top of the ladder with three games to play against the Roosters, Broncos and Tigers and are on track for finals in just their second season in the NRLW.
No one knows how long the women’s season will be next year or what the draw will look like, but goal kicking will be crucial, regardless.
As the women’s game develops there’s still few players who can nail a conversion.
Preston is one of them.
It’s great for the Sharks and the game itself, but the Bulldogs must be sitting back and smiling at just how well they’ve nailed it.
Likes
RECORD BREAKER
Broncos fullback Hayley Maddick doesn’t get the plaudits she deserves.
But she will now.
The rangy No.1 set up a record five try assists in Sunday’s 38-12 win over the Cowboys, which is the most by an individual in an NRLW match in the game’s history.
She didn’t stop there, she also scored herself and had three tacklebusts, two line-breaks and seven line-break assists for a completely dominant performance.
SHOWDOWN
They’re the two most dominant teams in NRLW history and they come head-to-head on Sunday night.
Two-time premiers Newcastle host three-time premiers Brisbane in the game of the season at McDonald Jones Stadium.
It’s a huge day for the club, with the women’s game to follow the NRL clash against the Dolphins which will decide if the Knights play finals this season.
DREAM ALIVE
An absolute rinsing of Parramatta means the Dragons are still in with a chance to play finals.
The exciting young St George Illawarra side put on a show with a 42-14 win over the Eels on Saturday, which keeps their season alive.
They face the Raiders on Saturday, followed by the Tigers and the Broncos in the final round, and will need to win them all to make the top four.
In such a short season early losses can ruin it all, but the Dragons have shown they have enough guts to topple any team on their day.
Dislikes
NO MILKING
One of the biggest things that makes the NRLW so different from the men’s game is they don’t play for penalties.
In seasons past you would rarely see a women’s player appeal for a penalty or stay down after contact to try and milk one.
But even that’s starting to creep into the game, which is a huge detriment to the brand of football synonymous with the NRLW.
Of course playing for penalties offers a tactical advantage, but it’s annoying to watch and not attractive to fans.
Please don’t let it change.
AWFUL TIGERS
Another big loss to Newcastle on Sunday makes it six for the season for the Wests Tigers.
They’re yet to win a game in 2024, and only won two last year.
It’s a terrible record that’s not fun to watch.
A bunch of injuries, including to captain Kezie Apps, has really cruelled them this season.
They’re a young side with developing talent and no one likes to see them pumped this way.
Unless they can turn it around in their last three games against Cowboys, Dragons and Sharks, the Tigers are on track for a terrible record, earning the wooden spoon in both the men’s and women’s teams for the first time in history.
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