Ultimate guide to the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season
The 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership is shaping as the biggest season yet as a genuine reserve grade to NRLW. We take a look at all 12 clubs and the stars who are set to make their mark.
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The Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership is set for it’s biggest season to date, serving as a genuine reserve grade competition for the NRLW.
With established stars, young guns and those looking to impress for their shot at the top flight, this year’s edition promises to be the most exciting yet.
We take an in-depth look at how all 12 teams are shaping up for the 2024 HNWP season:
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Canterbury - Central Coast - Cronulla - Illawarra - Manly - Mounties - Newcastle - Parramatta - South Sydney - St George - Wentworthville - Wests Tigers
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Coach: Blake Cavallaro
Captain: Sarahcen Oliver
Last season: Runner up
Key recruits: With the benefit of an incredible junior pathways system that saw them win the Lisa Fiaola Cup undefeated and make the Tarsha Gale prelim, the Bulldogs have largely looked from within for their squad. Shannon Muru returns from Parramatta and the Tongan international adds an element of experience to the side.
Season outlook: There’s plenty of optimism around Canterbury at the moment. With their NRLW license granted for next season, plenty of players will be looking to make a good impression and secure their contracts. The side has been training for a while after a trial in January, and the communication is something the coaching staff has applauded. With players wanting to stay in the Bulldogs pathway and earn that shot, the stocks are high at the moment.
Players to watch: Latisha Smythe has been part of the program since 16 and she’s shown tremendous ability throughout that period. A lock-forward or prop, she owns the middle and will aim up. Pauline Suli-Ruka is coming off an ASSRL campaign as a hard-hitting lock. She’s only 18 but will push her claims for a regular spot in this side and higher honours down the track.
2024 expectations: The squad has shown a great competitive nature throughout the pre-season that has them confident in their chances. Coach Cavallaro is focused on a strong start to the season, something they’ve done throughout the junior pathways. The skill level has impressed and the hope is they’ll be right in the race for the finals come the back end of the season.
CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS
Coach: Nathan Anderson
Captain: TBA
Last season: 6th
Key recruits: Sharni Waters hasn’t come through the pathways but is a local player looking to make her mark at the higher level. She’s been one of the best for The Entrance Tigers and officials are excited to bring her into the squad. She can fill a number of positions in the outside backs or fullback.
Season outlook: With over two months of training in the books, the Roosters are primed to hit the ground running from the outset. A relatively young squad greets them this year with plenty of experience in the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Cup competitions. There’s also a good contingent from the local A-grade competition and coach Anderson has been impressed with the skill of players from the region.
Players to watch: Mahlie Cashin is coming off a strong season at the U17s level and she’s a bright star coming through the ranks as a good dummy half. Taylah Fuiava is a versatile player who come from Tarsha Gale with the Roosters Indigenous Academy, and has the ability to play at lock, hooker or halfback. She’s got great skills for a young player. Phoenix Lamese was a part of that same team earlier this season and gives the Central Coast a powerful middle forward option.
2024 expectations: With a strong squad and developing players in the mix, the Central Coast Roosters are eyeing off the finals. The relationship they have with the Sydney Roosters will see their side strengthened throughout the season with players and that’s a good combination when combining with the home-grown talents they have on the books. There’s a belief they can do good things in 2024.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Coach: Robert Capizzi
Captain: Ahlivia Ingram
Last season: 7th
Key recruits: Ahlivia Ingram is a former Raider and is one of the biggest signings at the club. She’s a front rower who is capable of carrying a team on her shoulders, taking the tough carries and leading with her actions. Seli Mailangi will be called on for her experience as a Tongan international and former NRLW player with Parramatta. She’s a natural leader and can push her way into contention for a spot in the top flight.
Season outlook: With a brand new team put together, coach Capizzi is aware it could be a slow build at times to get to where they want to be. But with some talented young players coming through the system and those serving as NRLW development players, there’s plenty of talent within the roster.
With a few players knocking on the door of NRLW, it provides healthy competition for spots and to impress coach Tony Herman for a call up. Having a few of the more experienced players to guide the younger players through will be a key, and the more they’re getting through repeated sets at training, the closer they are getting to the finished product.
Players to watch: Jaydika Tafua is coming off a strong Tarsha Gale season with the Sharks and the edge back rower made waves as a hard-running forward. Look for her to be running strong lines out wide. She’s come on in leaps and bounds since rising to HNWP level. Elizabeth Lomu-Stuart is coming back from a knee reconstruction but has the talent to hit the ground running. The former Roosters Tarsha Gale centre will be looking to lock down a spot in the centres.
2024 expectations: The Sharks are the first to admit they won’t be the best team in the competition when round one comes around. But by the time round 11 is here they want to be firmly in the finals race.
They understand their role as a development pathway and are looking to guide those who will benefit from the journey and experience. However there’s a desire to compete with the best and they want to be playing a strong brand of footy that can help them enter the conversation as semi final contenders.
ILLAWARRA STEELERS
Coach: Jamie Szczerbanik
Captain: Lily Rogan
Last season: 4th
Key recruits: For the moment the Steelers have been content to build from within, a by-product of the success they’ve enjoyed as Tarsha Gale premiers. One player who has returned to the fold is Mackenzie Lear. The second rower played with the Sharks at this level last season and the club is excited to have a player of her talent back in red and white.
Season outlook: There’s been plenty of representative interruptions due to the nature of the quality of Illawarra’s squad. But coach Szczerbanik couldn’t be happier with how they’ve been travelling. He said they’ve left nothing on the training paddock and that has equated to a roster with plenty of belief.
He’s been most pleased with their attitude and willingness to learn. ‘Scissors’ has praised their ability to absorb information and put it into practise, and he’s blown away with how quickly they are picking up details.
Players to watch: Such is the promise that some players have shown, they’ve gone straight into training under Jamie Soward in the NRLW program. Hope Millard is the daughter of Shane and has been a star in her own right in the front row, including earning selection for the NSW U19s. Lily Rogan has NRLW experience and will take on the leadership duties this season. The club has been impressed with the standards she has set right from the very first session.
2024 expectations: While acknowledging the competitive nature of the side, Szczerbanik’s main goal is to develop the next crop of players that will graduate into the NRLW. The two programs are closely aligned and with the average age between 17 and 22 at the HNWP level, there’s a hope that experience at rep level translates into success.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Coach: Keith Hanley
Captain: Shontelle Stowers
Last season: N/A
Key recruits: Shontelle Stowers takes the reins as inaugural captain of the Sea Eagles, bringing NRLW experience and a level head to the role. A classy centre, she’s the perfect mentor for the young players coming through the system. Tayla Montgomery has spent time with the Roosters in the junior reps and the Knights in HNWP. She can fill a spot in the halves and is a previous NSW U19s representative.
Season outlook: The next phase in Manly’s female pathways comes to fruition in their first HNWP season. It comes on the back of a strong showing in the U19s and the time is right to field an open women’s side. They’ve been boosted by the news they will serve as a feeder to the Gold Coast Titans NRLW side, receiving the benefit of those players not chosen at the top level. It gives them a big shot in the arm before a ball is kicked and puts them firmly in finals conversations.
Players to watch: Lili Boyle is coming off a strong Tarsha Gale Cup season with the Sea Eagles and she is a workhorse. Brings a little bit of everything to the game as a talented middle who looks set for the rise in class. Anna Dingley made her way down from Toowoomba and is a flashy outside back who creates plenty of options out wide for Manly. Another that looks like she will handle this grade.
2024 expectations: It’s always tough to know how a first year club will perform, there’s a sense that the Sea Eagles can really hit the ground running. Coach Hanley has built this roster around grit and an ability to stay in the contest no matter the strength of opposition. They want to compete in every round and while they mightn’t play the prettiest football, they hope their determination will lead to results.
MOUNTIES
Coach: Sa Patiole
Captain: Janelle Williams
Last season: Premiers
Key recruits: Marley Cardwell represented the NSW U19s last year after impressing for Penrith in the Tarsha Gale Cup. She’s a small forward but has an engine bigger than most and can go all day. Hollie Massey is a halfback who spent the first half of the season with the Brisbane Tigers in the BMD Premiership. She’s been a solid player around the strong Katrina Fanning Shield and will steer the ship.
Season outlook: Mounties won last year’s grand final in the most extraordinary of circumstances with a 1-0 victory. This time around they’ll have just four players from that team in their roster. There’s a great deal of unknowns with the new time frame of the competition, but coach Patiole has been happy with the pre-season so far.
It’s been an uninterrupted one with no serious injuries and a strong work ethic. The focus has been on fundamentals and sharpening basic skills to ensure they are primed for round one.
Players to watch: Captain Janelle Williams brings a great deal of leadership to the side having represented the Indigenous All Stars and Samoa. She’s been at the club since 2017 as one of the inaugural players and was with the Raiders in NRLW last season. Taina Navide is a centre who has played with Parramatta. She’s coming off an ACL injury but has impressed during the trials. Gwen Swann is a promising young centre who has come through the Bulldogs pathways and is an excitement machine.
2024 expectations: For Patiole, while winning is always good, the biggest focus is being able to develop the next crop of NRLW talent. If winning comes with that and they’re elevated into the top half of the table, it’s a bonus. He believes the main expectations is flipping a few players over to the NRLW next year to show the success of the program.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Coach: Rob Taylor
Captain: Melanie Howard
Last season: 5th
Key recruits: Mel Howard has been in the Dragons and Roosters systems previously, and as a former NSW representative, the half will give great guidance to the young core at Newcastle. Joeli Morris played five games with the Roosters in NRLW last season and she adds a great versatility to the Knights with her ability to fill a number of positions across the park.
Season outlook: There’s a sense of excitement around Newcastle at the moment. Their NRLW squad is chasing a hat-trick of premierships and their U19s are coming off a grand final appearance. From their induction at the start of May through to now, there’s a strong culture building.
There’s been a lot of work done in the background with new NRLW coach Ben Jeffries, and Taylor is himself a new addition, and has been impressed with the standards across the board and professionalism. A large chunk of their players currently feature in the local Newcastle Maitland competition and that’s something Taylor is proud of.
Players to watch: Tazmyne Luschwitz was a development player at the club last year and she has really set the standards so far at training with her talk and attitude. Aylah McCulloch was a standout in the outside backs throughout the Tarsha Gale season and looks set for the rise in class. Fane Finau was crowned Tarsha Gale Players’ Player and officials are quietly confident about her potential to develop into a strong NRLW talent.
2024 expectations: There’s a belief within the group they can be challenging for a title come the end of the season, but Taylor wants to see an improvement in his side as individuals and a group. There are plenty within the group capable of making the step up to the top level and Taylor is focused on helping those players reach that stage.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Coach: Scott Fava
Captain: Tahleisha Maeva
Last season: N/A
Key recruits: Parramatta has largely focused their squad on building from within. They want to develop and create opportunities for the whole squad, especially their young guns. They believe they have struck the right mix of youth and experience to ensure they are competitive this season.
Season outlook: The Eels are very happy with how their squad is building towards the new season. They’re fit and connected ahead of their inaugural season in the competition. It’s a crucial part of their strategic development to complete their pathway from the U17s right through to the NRLW. The squad has been training alongside the NRLW side under the watchful eye of head coach Steve Georgallis. Incredibly they feature 16 players are from the Parramatta Eels pathways system.
Players to watch: Alysha Bell has come through the junior ranks of the Tarsha Gale Cup as an outside back. She’s a player that brings a great deal to the table as an attacking force and will likely take the reins as goalkicker. She’s shown how clutch she can be with the boot in pressure situations.
2024 expectations: Being their first year in the open women’s competition, the Eels aren’t promising the world just yet, with a clear focus on the HNWP getting their players ready for the weekly grind of higher level competition. Coach Fava brings a strong pedigree of mentoring at an elite level and will serve as the right man to lead this young group into the future.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Coach: Jason Dorahy
Captain: Maddie Studdon
Last season: 10th
Key recruits: Kiana Takairangi is a huge inclusion for the Rabbitohs. The New Zealand and Cook Islands international will be on a mission to show why NRLW clubs are missing out. The 31-year-old will likely line up at centre and be a guiding influence in the side. Maddie Studdon has a long and decorated history in league and the local halfback returns to South Sydney. Coming off an MCL injury, the NSW and Australian rep will be chomping at the bit for her return. Jazmon Tupou-Witchman is a versatile edge who has experience with the Cook Islands and played with the Sharks in the NRLW last year.
Season outlook: Things are looking up for South Sydney. Despite plenty of unrelated setbacks during the pre-season, they’ve been able to punch out some quality weeks and coach Dorahy is pleased with the detail and core skills they’ve been able to get in.
The group has bought into the style the coaching staff want them to play and the intensity has been encouraging. They also have the benefit of a settled roster, however they’re very much eyeing off a place in the NRLW, and a good season would mount their case.
Players to watch: Kiara McGregor was one of the shining lights in the Lisa Fiaola Cup and the 17-year-old will benefit from being around this group. Mikayla Langer was a similar story in the Tarsha Gale Cup after being named the club’s player of the year. She’s dangerous out of dummy half. Nancy Sullivan had her first taste of Sydney footy in the Tarsha Gale Cup and the forward continues to impress. She’ll be keen to lock down a spot in the side.
2024 expectations: They’re in it to win it. While not having the success they’ve wanted in recent years or through the junior pathways, Dorahy believes the potential is there for them to turn that around. Having been involved with South Sydney’s NSW Cup success last year, he wants to bring the buy in and standards to this team, and so far they’ve been responding.
ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Coach: Steve Kelly
Captain: Grace Clarke
Last season: 11th
Key recruits: Katrina Phippen will likely line up at fullback and has been in the NRLW system with Parramatta. She brings a wealth of experience at this level and is someone that can shine as a leader. Mia Barber finished the BMD Premiership season off with the Burleigh Bears. Hailing from the Central Coast, she provides a pacy option out wide and is also a handy goalkicker. Barber won a Tarsha Gale premiership with the Roosters last year.
Season outlook: St George was one of the last clubs to come in for their pre-season last year and can lay claim to being the first in 2024. With an anticipated early season, their trials took place in September and they had a great turnout.
They’ve been keeping their talent active and engaged throughout the whole time and with their training since March, they remain confident over a strong season. The group is committed and driven, two major factors the coaching staff has been looking for. They’ve bonded well as a unit and they’re committed to turning the fortunes of the St George program around.
Players to watch: Madison-Lee Kelly is a player who has improved out of sight this season after representing the club at the Tarsha Gale Cup level. She can push for a spot in the halves. Georgia Thomas is another exciting halfback at the club. She was one of the standouts of the Group 7 women’s season in 2023 and knows what it takes to compete at this level. Taliah Lummow is recovering from injury but when she gets on the field she will add plenty of strikepower out wide.
2024 expectations: After failing to fire a shot last year, the Dragons have their eyes on finals. They feel they’re on more of an even playing field this season and have prepared accordingly. St George has managed to put together a strong roster with the right mix of youth and experience, with the NRLW side identifying how good they are looking. There’s a definite feel within the camp they can bounce back and be there at the pointy end of the season.
WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES
Coach: Lino Salafai
Captains: Caitlin Turnbull and Chantel Tugaga
Last season: 8th
Key recruits: Recruitment has been a key focus for coach Salafai in hoping to turn the Magpies into a finals contender. A strong contingent from the National Championships will join the club, with players from Canberra, Bathurst, Dapto, Cairns and even New Zealand on board. Chantel Tugaga has been named co-captain and brings NRLW experience to the group that will prove invaluable.
Season outlook: The Magpies have gone with a 12-week preparation into the new season and that’s by design. Salafai wants to strengthen the women’s program to a level similar to that of the men. There have been a lot of changes both with playing personnel and staff, including some who have done great things at a high level. They’ve been calculated with building their roster and have looked at some elite country talents who will create a big impression at the HNWP level.
Players to watch: Caitlin Turnbull starred in the Women’s Country Championships for Monaro and the outside back has speed to burn. Tiana Anderson was another standout at that event for the Western Rams and she’s a livewire fullback who picks the right moments to chime in.
2024 expectations: From the first day of pre-season, the goal has been set for Wentworthville to be a top four team. Salafai said there was a stigma about the club being easybeats in this competition, but it changes this year. They will be competitive and while they acknowledge it will take time, the players are buying into the concept. Strong trial form has them primed to make an impact this year.
WESTS TIGERS
Coach: Scott Clark
Captain: TBA
Last season: 9th
Key recruits: Katalina Vave comes to the Tigers after coming through the Eels pathway system and playing in the HNWP with Wentworthville last season. Elisa Akpa joins the club on a train and trial deal. She shapes as one of the most interesting players in the competition as the captain of the French national team, Akpa is looking for her shot to crack it in the NRLW.
Season outlook: There’s a lot to like about the Wests Tigers in 2024. Despite the roster being at different stages of their playing journey throughout the season, they’ve come together as a cohesive unit and that’s a good sign.
Coach Clark from the outset has put into place that although they come from different walks of life, they’ve been selected as a group to represent the Tigers HNWP team. There’s been no age brackets and the buy in has been immense. This side will feature five development players (including Ellie Barnett and Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua who are eligible to play) from Lisa Fiaola Cup and a host of Tarsha Gale Cup talent that will be staking their claims for spots.
Players to watch: Jae Patu is a success story of the pathways, graduating from Tarsha Gale to make her NRLW debut last season. A strong start to the year can see her push for more games in the top flight. Cheyenne Baker is a middle forward who will be called upon to play more minutes this season. She played with Wests in Tarsha Gale after coming across from Newcastle and has the talent to make it to the top.
2024 expectations: The season goal is to make the finals. There’s enough quality in the roster for that to be the measuring stick for the club’s success this year and it would round out a successful women’s pathways campaign after making the grand final of Lisa Fiaola Cup. Part of the club’s ethos is a focus on development and Clark hopes to be able to blood new talent and get those players to an NRLW level if called upon by Brett Kimmorley. He said they’re training and preparing for that opportunity to play NRLW.
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Originally published as Ultimate guide to the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season
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