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QRLW 2020: A look at the big stars and the up-and-comers of the inaugural women’s premiership

The inaugural QRL Women’s Premiership will kick off this weekend, with eight teams vying for glory. Here are the players to keep an eye on, from the big name stars to the young guns on the rise.

The inaugural QRL women’s premiership will kick off this weekend, in a massive step forward for rugby league in Queensland.

Eight teams will vie for glory, including new side the North Queensland Gold Stars, the Burleigh Bears, Brothers Ipswich, Easts Tigers, CQ Capras, Souths Logan Magpies, Tweed Seagulls and reigning SEQ premiers, the West Brisbane Panthers.

But while it is a new competition, some of the faces are certainly not new.

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A range of NRLW and Australian Jillaroo stars will feature in the QRLW, alongside some exciting up-and-comers.

The Courier-Mail has picked out a range of players to watch in season 2020.

QRLW representatives Asi Mafi (West Brisbane), Jenni-Sue Hoepper (North Queensland), Teagan Laing (Burleigh), Steph Hancock (Souths Logan), Liahona Theodore (Easts), Brittany Faulkner (Tweed) and Mariah Storch (CQ). Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling
QRLW representatives Asi Mafi (West Brisbane), Jenni-Sue Hoepper (North Queensland), Teagan Laing (Burleigh), Steph Hancock (Souths Logan), Liahona Theodore (Easts), Brittany Faulkner (Tweed) and Mariah Storch (CQ). Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

BROTHERS IPSWICH

THE BIG NAMES

Brittany Breayley

One of the stars of the women’s game, Breayley is an Australian and Queensland stalwart. The 2018 Dally M medallist and Dragons hooker will be pushing to reclaim her Jillaroos jersey after missing last year’s international fixtures due to work commitments.

WHO TO WATCH

Tanika Marshall training with the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling
Tanika Marshall training with the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Tanika Marshall

The Fijian and Indigenous All Stars representative is one of the frontrunners for an NRLW debut in 2020, after earning a development contract with the Broncos last year. Plays at centre.

Taimane Levu

A strong front rower who made her international debut for Samoa last year. Is tipped for a breakout season and has come along in leaps and bounds with Ipswich.

Abelee Stanley

One of the several 17-year-olds who has been given an age exemption to feature in this year’s QRLW, Stanley is known for her strength and impressive understanding of the game. The young centre is expected to impress.

BURLEIGH BEARS

THE BIG NAMES

Chelsea Lenarduzzi

The Broncos prop has gone from strength to strength over the last two years. Made her Queensland debut in 2017 and Australian Test debut last season. One of the best young forwards in the game.

Karina Brown

After establishing the Burleigh Bears women’s team in 2012, Brown is back on the Gold Coast in 2020, following three years with Easts Tigers. The Roosters NRLW back and World Cup-winning Jillaroo is a veteran of the women’s game and her experience will be invaluable.

Millie Boyle

Boyle was a breakout star of women’s rugby league in 2019, impressing with Burleigh, the Broncos and NSW to earn an Australian debut. The prop is expected to carry that form into 2020.

Tallisha Harden

Named the 2019 Roosters’ NRLW Player of the Year, Harden is coming into 2020 off the back of a career-best season. A hardworking forward, there are few players who are prouder to play for Burleigh than Harden.

Tazmin Gray

One of the most determined players in the game, Gray has been a long-serving forward for Burleigh and has played for the Roosters, Broncos, Maroons and Jillaroos across her career, as well as having two children. And she’s only 24.

Zahara Temara

Injury hampered her 2019 season, causing her to miss State of Origin and lose her Jillaroos jumper. But the gifted young half is still yet to reach her potential and could hit back in a big way this year if she stays injury free.

Sisters and Burleigh Bears teammates Zahara and Chante Temara. Picture: Adam Head.
Sisters and Burleigh Bears teammates Zahara and Chante Temara. Picture: Adam Head.

WHO TO WATCH

Chante Temara

The younger sister of Roosters playmaker Zahara, 18-year-old Chante Temara is ready to make her own mark on the game. Coach Tahnee Norris will move the speedster from fullback to hooker this year, with Temara already impressing in the trials. Norris says her defensive work is “second-to-none” and she has excellent speed off the mark.

Laken Paitai

Another 18-year-old, Paitai is known as a hard-worker and a front rower of the Millie Boyle mould. Has played for the Australian PM’s XIII and will look to add to her representative achievements in 2020.

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CAPRAS

THE BIG NAMES

Chelsea Baker

Known for her brightly-coloured hair, speed and impressive goalkicking, Baker will be on a mission in 2020 to regain her No. 1 jersey for the Broncos.

Mariah Storch

A quiet achiever of the women’s game, Storch lost her Queensland Maroons jersey in 2019 but proved to be one of Brisbane’s best as they went back-to-back for NRLW premierships.

Tamika Upton (centre) with fellow Jillaroos squad members Tarryn Aiken, Caitlan Johnston, Shaylee Bent and Jasmin Allende. Picture: Adam Head.
Tamika Upton (centre) with fellow Jillaroos squad members Tarryn Aiken, Caitlan Johnston, Shaylee Bent and Jasmin Allende. Picture: Adam Head.

Tamika Upton

Upton was a breakout star for the Broncos in 2019. She played fullback in their grand final victory and played Nines for Australia. She is now pushing for Origin and Test debuts.

WHO TO WATCH

Elle Stitt

The versatile Stitt was 18th player for the women’s Queensland State of Origin team but did not make her debut nor play in the NRLW. With the QRLW opening the door for Stitt to regularly play against the best in the game, expect more from her this season.

EASTS TIGERS

THE BIG NAMES

With limited experience among his squad, coach Duane Rahua has said to “watch this space” and keep an eye on a promising Tigers team in 2020.

WHO TO WATCH

Laureane Biville

The French import moved to Australia in 2019 to better her rugby league skills. She was rewarded with a place in the Warriors’ NRLW Nines squad in February and is tipped to continue improving in 2020.

Rosemary Vaimili-Toalepai

The speedy 19-year-old was signed by the Broncos on a development contract last year and also played for the Queensland under-18s team. Will look to expand on those opportunities this season.

Jessikah Reeves (left) with Ali Brigginshaw and fellow young gun China Polata. Picture: Lachie Millard.
Jessikah Reeves (left) with Ali Brigginshaw and fellow young gun China Polata. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Jessikah Reeves

Another who played for the Queensland under-18s, Reeves is on the cusp of a breakout season. Is a hardworking forward who is on the Origin radar as part of the QLD Female Performance Squad.

Tanisha Murphy-Knight

A 17-year-old with a special exemption to play, Murphy-Knight is in for a challenging season as a middle forward. Is expected to play at lock and will learn a lot coming up against the elite forwards.

NORTH QUEENSLAND GOLD STARS

THE BIG NAMES

Steph Mooka

The Cairns product was relatively unheard of before her breakout 2019. She starred for Queensland as one of their best players in last year’s State of Origin and secured herself a Dragons NRLW contract. She is a late bloomer at 29, but is showing no signs of slowing down.

North Queensland Gold Stars’ inaugural captain, Jenni-Sue Hoepper. Picture: Evan Morgan.
North Queensland Gold Stars’ inaugural captain, Jenni-Sue Hoepper. Picture: Evan Morgan.

Jenni-Sue Hoepper

The inaugural female Dally M winner has missed a fair bit of footy since 2015, after giving birth to her daughter and then stepping away from the game in 2018 due to personal reasons. But she has returned just as strong, representing PNG and Queensland in the last 18 months.

WHO TO WATCH

Shaniah Power

Power is among many hidden north Queensland talents set to benefit from the exposure of the QRLW. The young centre and backrower is part of the QRL’s Female Performance Squad and a strong season could see her push for a Maroons spot.

Mateeka Nielson

A rugby convert, Nielson is a promising up-and-comer who is expected to play hooker for the North Queensland Gold Stars this year.

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES

THE BIG NAMES

Meg Ward

A fan favourite, Ward has played at all possible levels of the women’s game but continues to push herself to be better. With a star-studded side, there’s no doubt Ward will be chasing an inaugural QRLW premiership, after winning two NRLW trophies with the Broncos.

Rona Peters

In a big signing for Souths Logan, the Broncos and Maroons forward has moved away from the Gold Coast to join an already formidable forward pack. Peters is strong and versatile and a great inclusion for the Magpies.

Steph Hancock

Will go down in the history books as one of the true greats of the women’s game. Continues to set the standard at 38 and the proud Queenslander is an inspiration to those around her.

Annette Brander

The Karyn Murphy Medal winner in last year’s NRLW grand final, Brander is only getting better. The Broncos, Queensland and Jillaroos stalwart is also Souths Logan’s skipper.

Jamie-Lee Lewis

She carries a surname that is famous in rugby league circles, but the daughter of Wally Lewis is ready to make her own name in 2020. She has aspirations to play NRLW and State of Origin and, if she remains injury free, will have a big impact with the forward pack.

WHO TO WATCH

China Polata

The 18-year-old is still learning the game, but is one of the hardest working players in the Souths Logan squad. Coach Rob Brough greatly admires her attitude to training and the game, and it’s clear the winger is doing everything she can to be among the best.

Young Souths Logan teammates China Polata and Nakita Tafili-Sao. Picture: Steve Pohlner.
Young Souths Logan teammates China Polata and Nakita Tafili-Sao. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Nakita Tafili-Sao

The 17-year-old is taking on a massive responsibility in 2020 as Souths Logan’s halfback. Reminds Brough of women’s rugby league great Karyn Murphy with her views and understanding of the game.

El aina Saluni

Is an extremely talented forward but is expected to go to another level in 2020 as she continues to mature. Is tipped for an exciting future.

TWEED SEAGULLS

THE BIG NAMES

Jessika Elliston

The 2019 Maroons debutant and Broncos-contracted player will be disappointed she did not get more time in last year’s NRLW but will have a point to prove this year as she looks to retain those jerseys.

Veteran Heather Ballinger (right) with Steph Hancock after winning the inaugural NRLW premiership with the Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Getty Images.
Veteran Heather Ballinger (right) with Steph Hancock after winning the inaugural NRLW premiership with the Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Getty Images.

Heather Ballinger

A tireless forward, Ballinger has stepped back from all representative games which means she will have a greater focus for her new side at Tweed. Will bring years of knowledge and experience to the young side.

WHO TO WATCH

Stacey Markham

A fullback, Markham has been signed to Tweed this year from the NSW Women’s Premiership. Was part of the Newcastle Knights’ women’s program.

Diaz Seumanutafa

The young halfback has been part of the QRL’s under-18s squad and also played in the Gold Coast Titans invitational match last year. Is ready to move forward in her career.

Gabby Senft

The Canadian rugby union player will join Tweed once she is done playing with the Queensland Reds in this year’s Super W. Able to play at front rower or lock, Senft is keen to prove herself in both codes.

WEST BRISBANE PANTHERS

THE BIG NAMES

Julia Robinson scores for the Australian Jillaroos. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.
Julia Robinson scores for the Australian Jillaroos. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

Julia Robinson

Played rugby league for the first time in 2018 and has continued to rise from there. The young Jillaroos winger missed most of last season with the Panthers with a broken leg and will be keen to win a maiden Queensland jersey with a strong performance in the QRLW.

Lavinia Gould

The explosive hooker just gets better with age. Currently with the Queensland Reds, Broncos hooker Gould will join West Brisbane again this year after helping them to last year’s SEQ premiership.

Charlotte Booth

Booth is the first English international to come to Australia for a full season of women’s rugby league. The forward is pushing for an NRLW contract and will make her case with West Brisbane.

Asipau Mafi

The Panthers’ skipper missed out on an NRLW contract last year, after playing with the Dragons in the inaugural season. She will have a point to prove.

WHO TO WATCH

Gemma Schnaubelt

The PNG international was a three-try hero in last year’s SEQ grand final victory and will now make the move from wing to fullback in an exciting development for her game.

Lana Sheedy

She is a seasoned campaigner but, according to coach Craig Green, Sheedy has the best kicking game in the competition. The underrated halfback will definitely benefit from the greater spotlight on women’s league in Queensland.

Hayley Riccardi

Is a soccer player making the switch to league. While she is still learning the game, she reminds Green of her teammate Julia Robinson and he says she is a pure athlete who will transition quickly.

INJURY LIST

An injured Ali Brigginshaw shows off her moon boot at Kayla Boyd’s Find Your Fierce event. Picture with fiancee Kate Daly, Emily Hall, Kayla Boyd and Amy Sheppard. Picture: AAP Image/Attila Csaszar.
An injured Ali Brigginshaw shows off her moon boot at Kayla Boyd’s Find Your Fierce event. Picture with fiancee Kate Daly, Emily Hall, Kayla Boyd and Amy Sheppard. Picture: AAP Image/Attila Csaszar.

*Ali Brigginshaw (Brothers Ipswich) – syndesmosis

*Amber Pilley (Burleigh Bears) – ACL and PCL

*Tarryn Aiken (Tweed Seagulls) – syndesmosis

Originally published as QRLW 2020: A look at the big stars and the up-and-comers of the inaugural women’s premiership

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/qrlw-2020-a-look-at-the-big-stars-and-the-upandcomers-of-the-inaugural-womens-premiership/news-story/a9c1b61306af6c754d42c2cb15e4fb95