Ana Malupo makes NRLW debut for North Queensland Cowboys

A Territory junior has taken a huge step in her rugby league journey making her NRLW debut for the Cowboys, while another has been named in top development squad.

North Queensland Cowboys NRLW player Ana Malupo. Picture: North Queensland Cowboys

Territory junior Ana Malupo made history as the first woman from the NT to play in the NRLW after making her debut for the North Queensland Cowboys.

The 19-year-old Northern Sharks junior has put in the hard yards since her talent was noticed and she made the move to Queensland in 2023.

Since then she has caught the eyes of plenty graduating from Kirwan State High School, where she earned the best and fairest and named Townsville and District’s best back.

She was later named the best women’s grassroots player in Queensland, and in 2024 earned herself a call up to the Tongan team in the same week she was elevated to the Cowboys NRLW squad.

Malupo continued to represent the Territory in the interim, even going away to Las Vegas as part of the Titans trip, where she presented Jakiya Whitfeld with her Jillaroos jersey.

In a twist it was an injury to Whitfeld that gave Malupo the opportunity to play in the NRLW team replacing the full back and making an impact in the side’s 16-14 defeat of the Sharks.

“We got away with the win and it was really good to get out there with the girls,” Malupo said.

“I’m happy with how I went, I caught a lot of the balls, which is what I was focusing on catching the ball and getting runs.

“It feels so good to be able to finally run out there, some of my family made their way down here from Darwin, some couldn’t make it but glad they could watch me on TV.

Ana Malupo of North Queensland Cowboys jumps to catch the ball during the round three NRLW match between Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys. Picture: Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)

“I only started playing footy when I was in high school, maybe like Year 8, and I started out with union and touch, not even league.

“I’m so grateful to be playing for the club that I do play for, the coaches, the staff, they’re all amazing, and the girls all get around you.”

It comes as Nightcliff’s Nanise Vakacavu was named in the Cronulla Sharks development list for 2025, marking another Territorian finding success interstate.

The Territorian stood out for Fiji in the 20-24 Pacific Championships.

NRL NT Pathways and Education Coordinator Duncan MacGillivray said Malupo was a show that players from the NT can achieve.

“Ana epitomizes what an aspirational young female player should look, sound and perform like,” MacGillivray said.

“She carries confidence in her abilities, accountability for strengths and weaknesses and works hard to build on her training and playing performance.

“She is tough by character and does not allow intimidation, fatigue or complacency to affect her game.

“She is everything a young player should strive to be if their dream is NRLW, and I know the lessons learnt from this will carry with it success into her life after Rugby League.

“Ana is just scratching the surface of her career and there is a lot more success to come.”

Originally published as Ana Malupo makes NRLW debut for North Queensland Cowboys