North Queensland Cowboys NRLW squad breakdown
The Cowboys launched their upcoming NRLW season with high hopes of a first-time finals appearance in their second campaign. Read more about the full squad and the options in every position.
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The Cowboys launched their upcoming NRLW season on Wednesday night with high hopes of a first-time finals appearance in their second campaign.
Last season’s co-captains Kirra Dibb and Tallisha Harden will lead from the front once more while experienced women’s rugby league mentor Ricky Henry will take over the reins as head coach with the assistance of David Faiumu and Alicia-Kate Hawke.
North Queensland had a mixed bag of results in 2023, ultimately finishing the season ninth with two wins and seven losses, narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon clutched by Parramatta.
But a sharp recruitment process, including claiming the signature of Kiwi Ferns head coach Henry, has bolstered the squad for their sophomore season.
Jillaroos outside back and 2023 Dally M Winger of the Year Jakiya Whitfeld agreed to move from the Tigers late last year and her battle for the No.1 jersey with incumbent custodian Fran Goldthorp will be a talking point all year.
Henry was also able to lure Maori All Stars prop Harata Butler to the fold.
Butler shores up the Cowboys’ middle forward stocks with China Polata expected to move to the edge of the field in some capacity.
The rise of barnstorming youngsters Lily Peacock and Lillian Yarrow will but pressure on North Queensland’s forward pack old guard of Tallisha Harden and Shaniah Power, while the stable includes plenty of talented depth including Papua New Guinean internationals Sareka Mooka and Essay Banu.
With Queensland Maroons pocket rocket Emma Manzelmann listed as the Cowboys’ only out-and-out hooker, the club will be closely monitoring her health and fitness situation throughout the year.
Earlier this pre-season, Townsville local Alisha Foord revealed she had been training as a hooker and utility player and she could be the main player to stand up if Manzelmann goes down. Jetaya Faifua and Lily Peacock could be the next in line to play as rake if an injury crisis hits.
North Queensland will carry two development players in the top squad: versatile halves Emily Bella and Caitlin Tanner.
Bella is a young halfback from Mackay who played for the Queensland under-19s in 2023, and she is the cousin of former Maroons legend Marty Bella.
Tanner is an 18-year-old half who played most of her junior rugby league in Rockhampton before making her BMD Premiership debut this year for the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
The Cowboys kick off their NRLW season in Sydney on Saturday, July 27, when they take on the Sharks. Their first home game is the following Sunday against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
COWBOYS NRLW SQUAD 2024
OUTSIDE BACKS
China Polata, Jakiya Whitfeld, Fran Goldthorp, Jasmine Peters, Krystal Blackwell, Shellie Long, Vitalina Naikore
Polata is expected to make the move from the middle to the wing this season while also offering coach Ricky Henry the versatility to fill in anywhere across the field.
Polata should be able to use her size and strength to her advantage in the wider channels and could be in for a breakout season after a number of injury-interrupted years.
Incumbent fullback Goldthorp will battle star recruit Whitfeld for the No.1 jersey all season long, while Peters and Long should hold onto their places in the starting team for round 1.
HALVES AND HOOKERS
Kirra Dibb, Tahlulah Tillett, Emma Manzelmann, Jetaya Faifua, Alisha Foord
It would be a shock to not see Dibb, Tillett and Manzelmann all line up in the starting side for round 1.
They were consistently among North Queensland’s best in 2023 and should be given the first chance to steer the team.
Faifua and Foord bring utility value to the spine and one of them will most likely be included in the interchange most weeks – depending on Henry’s preferred make-up of the bench.
MIDDLE FORWARDS
Tallisha Harden, Makenzie Weale, Sareka Mooka, Essay Banu, Lily Peacock, Lillian Yarrow, Harata Butler, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
The middle of the park is quite probably the area with the most depth this season.
The Cowboys let go of powerful props April Ngatupuna and Jessikah Reeves, opening the door for young guns Peacock and Yarrow to plead their cases for regular minutes in first grade.
New Zealander Butler will bring much-needed experience and an older head around training for the rising stars to look up to.
EDGE FORWARDS
Bree Chester, Shaniah Power, Libby Surha
While the backrower stocks may appear thin, all three listed players have shown they are capable of mixing it with the best in the NRLW.
Henry will also have the option to play other players on an edge including Polata, Peacock, Mooka, Long and Harden.
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS
Emily Bella, Caitlin Tanner
Bella is a young halfback from Mackay who played for the Queensland under-19s in 2023, and she is the cousin of former Maroons legend Marty Bella.
Tanner is an 18-year-old half who played most of her junior rugby league in Rockhampton before making her BMD Premiership debut this year for the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
PREDICTED ROUND 1 LINEUP:
1. Fran Goldthorp
2. China Polata
3. Jasmine Peters
4. Shelly Long
5. Jakiya Whitfeld
6. Tahlulah Tillett
7. Kirra Dibb
8. Tallisha Harden
9. Emma Manzelmann
10. Makenzie Weale
11. Shaniah Power
12. Bree Chester
13. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
14. Jetaya Faifua
15. Lily Peacock
16. Sareka Mooka
17. Harata Butler
18. Krystal Blackwell
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Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys NRLW squad breakdown
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