NRLW 2021: Players and clubs unsure when season will start
Five weeks after the NRL confirmed plans to expand the NRLW, players, clubs and fans remain unsure what the 2021 season will look like. Plus, 10 players to watch this year.
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Five weeks after the NRL confirmed plans to expand the NRLW, there remains uncertainty around what the 2021 season will look like.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo voiced his intentions in April to increase the number of matches and teams in the elite women’s competition, but clubs and players — many of them balancing jobs and roles outside footy — are still waiting patiently for updates.
Players appear in the dark, with Kezie Apps, the Australian Jillaroos, NSW Blues and Dragons star, unable to shed light on when the 2021 NRLW season is expected to start.
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“We’re not too sure when it’s actually going to be kicking off. I know it’s around June sometime,” Apps told ABC’s Offsiders last month.
“We’ve been in contact with the NRL and they sort of told us what their plans are. But I guess for them, leaving it a little bit too late, if we’re going to start in July, that’s only giving us a month and a bit to prepare.
“We’re only part-time athletes, so it’s really hard to try and juggle your work and take time off work for that three-month period.
“Some of us have to relocate, some are mums, it’s getting a bit hard.”
It is understood the four-week, four-team competition – Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra, Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors – will be expanded by two additional teams this season. A number of Sydney clubs, including the Bulldogs and Eels, are eager to join the new-look league.
The Rugby League Players Association has been working closely with the NRL to determine the 2021 NRLW contracting system.
“It would be unhelpful to the process we are working through with the NRL to offer any detailed comment at this time,” RLPA’s Lina Caccamo told Newscorp on Friday.
“What I can say is that we have met with the NRL regularly over the past few days in attempt to finalise player contracts and the contracting system for the 2021 NRLW season.
“We will continue to table the views of players in these discussions. We appreciate the support that our Women’s Player Advisory Group have provided us so far in working through this with the NRL.
“We look forward to further discussions with the NRL and providing the industry with much needed clarity in due course.”
Newly-appointed Dragons head coach Mat Head praised the NRL for expanding the competition, but admitted that the lack of information available has made planning frustrating at times.
“Contracts haven’t even been spoken about, when they’re going to come out or when you’re allowed to sign people,” Head said. “It’s a little bit weird and strange.
“Obviously we sit down and have meetings once or twice a week to figure out where we’d like our team to go, what we’d like our team to look like, and the players we’d like.
“We’re putting together a mindset of a team. Then when we get the opportunities, when you’re allowed to go and talk to people, or sign people, we think we can go and look for the type of player we want.”
“Some days you get a little frustrated that you can’t go to the next step yet, but it is what it is. Every team’s the same.”
If it comes to it, Head is not fazed by the prospect of assembling a team quickly or running a condensed pre-season.
“I’ve coached reserve grade, under-20s, SG Ball. Sometimes, you never know what players you’re going to get until captain’s run,” Head said. “I know what we want to do, we might just have to work quicker than I thought.”
Head took the 2019 NSW Cup Dragons to a minor premiership and coached the NSW Women’s sides in 2014 and 2015. A former Dragons halfback, Head is determined to steer his club to their first NRLW victory.
Given the talent coming through the Dragons and Illawarra Steelers pathways – half of NSW’s under-19s squad hail from the two clubs – Head has plenty to get excited about.
“We are excited about playing extra rounds, which is hugely important in trying to build a good team,” he said. “You need to lose a game to learn. In the past, if you lost a game, you were sort of out of the competition.”
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald said the depth of talent was made obvious during the past fortnight’s national championship in Redcliffe.
“The quality of the (female) player has come a long way in a very short period of time,” Donald said. “We’re seeing a new breed of player at that young age who has played rugby league for a long time.
“There was a big missing link between 12 and 18-year-olds in the past.
“The purpose of the national championship is for that next batch of players who haven't yet played NRLW, to be given an opportunity to be seen on this stage.
“With potentially two new franchises coming into the NRLW this year, we're going to need to unearth this new talent and take them up to the next level.”
10 NRLW PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2021
TIANA RAFSTRAND-SMITH
Set the women’s national champs alight in Redcliffe last month with the Queensland Rubys and was named U19s player of the tournament. The speedy utility has played two games this year in Queensland’s BHP Premiership competition – scoring a try each time. The 18-year-old came through the rugby league nursery of Keebra Park State School after a brief stint in rugby.
BAYLEE DAVIES
Standout for the Queensland Sapphires at the national champs, scoring a try to seal their 16-4 grand-final win over the Rubys. She also kicked seven conversions across the weekend-long tournament. Plays on the wing and at fullback for the Valkyries’ Queensland BHP Premiership side, where the 18-year-old has averaged 61 running metres and broken through 13 tackles.
DESTINY BRILL
Burst on to the Queensland rugby league scene this year in the state’s BHP Premiership, storming through opposition defensive lines. Thirty-eight tackle breaks in just four games for the Valleys Diehards, including two tries. The 18-year-old also helped steer the Queensland Sapphires to their grand-final triumph.
KAILEY THOMPSON
Quality running game for a halfback and handy in defence. Named player of the tournament in the open division at last weekend‘s women’s national championships after steering her West Australian side to victory over the First Nation Gems. Nailed a penalty in the dying minutes of the match to send the game to extra time.
AKIRA KELLY
The 20-year-old has represented the Indigenous All Stars this year and has been playing for South Sydney in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership. Her ability with ball in hand has caught the eye of plenty of talent spotters. Promising future.
TEAGAN BERRY
After making her NRLW debut for St George last year, Berry has taken her footy to another level. The electric outside back ripped up for the Illawarra Steelers in this year’s Tarsha Gale Cup and has been named for the NSW Women’s Under 19s squad. You might recall Berry’s long-range try she scored for the under 18s Blues in 2019 – footage of the four-pointer went viral.
KEILEE JOSEPH
Last year, Joseph impressed as an NRLW development player for the Sydney Roosters. This year, she ran out for the NRL Women’s Indigenous All Stars side and starred for the Chooks in the Tarsha Gale Cup . Clear standout at the recent national championships, crossing in the under-19s final as her Queensland Sapphires side were crowned winners. The forward is on track to making her NRLW debut in 2021.
FATAFEHI HANISI
Younger sister of NSW State of Origin star Filomina. Hanisi led the Dragons to their first Tarsha Gale Cup and was awarded player of the series. The prop was formidable for NSW City at the national championships in Redcliffe and has been selected in the NSW Women’s Under-19s squad.
RACHAEL PEARSON
Talented halfback who plays for the Helensburgh Tigers in the NSW Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership. Impressed for the NSW Country Opens side at the national champs and has popped on the radar of a couple of NRLW coaches.
CASSEY TOHI-HIKU
Part of the Dragons’ Tarsha Gale Cup-winning side this year and earned selection at centre for the Blues Under-19s Origin side. Made some spectacular try-saving tackles for NSW City at the national champs. Also a hand rugby union player.
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