NRL Women's Premiership

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Telstra Women's Premiership (NRLW)
Current season or competition:
2025 NRL Women's season
SportRugby league
Instituted6 December 2017
Inaugural season2018
CEOAndrew Abdo
Number of teams12
Countries Australia (11 teams)
 New Zealand (1 team)
Premiers Brisbane Broncos (2025)
Most titles Brisbane Broncos (4 titles)
WebsiteNRL.com
Broadcast partnerAustralia
Broadcast
Nine Network
Fox League
Streaming
9Now
Kayo Sports
Overseas
Broadcast
International broadcasters
Streaming
Watch NRL
Related competitionNRL Men's Premiership
NSWRL Men's Premiership
NSWRL Women's Premiership
QRL Men's Premiership
QRL Women's Premiership
Tarsha Gale Cup

The NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW) also known as the Telstra NRL Women's Premiership due to sponsorship is a rugby league competition in Australasia for female players. The league is run by the National Rugby League (NRL) and is contested by a subset of clubs from that competition. Currently, the league contains clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand.

The current Premiers are the Brisbane Broncos.

History

[edit]
See also: Women's rugby league in Australia
See also: List of NRL Women's records

In 2016, the Cronulla Sharks and St. George Illawarra Dragons contested a Women's Nine's match, which served as a curtain-raiser to the NRL match between the Sharks and Sydney Roosters, at Southern Cross Group Stadium. The Sharks won the match 16–12.[1][2]

In March 2017, the Cronulla Sharks played another Women's Nine's match, this time defeating the Canberra Raiders by 28–10.[3]

2017 – 2020: Establishment

[edit]

On 6 December 2017, shortly after the conclusion of the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup, which concluded with the Jillaroos defeating the New Zealand Ferns by 23–16 in the final,[4] it was announced by the National Rugby League that the inaugural NRL Women's season would operate in a round-robin format, and be held in August 2018, towards the back end of the men's season, with some matches to be played as curtain-raisers to NRL finals matches. The Grand Final, would be contested between the top two teams at the end of the round robin stage, and be played on the same day as the men's Grand Final. It was also announced that a stand-alone State of Origin match would also be contested during the representative weekend, in June.[5]

The Newcastle Knights, St. George Illawarra Dragons,[6][7][8] Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors,[9] Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks[10] all declared their interest in applying for a licence to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's competition.[11] Other clubs, such as the Melbourne Storm,[12] Manly Sea Eagles, Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs, all decided to delay bidding, citing money and time constraints.[13]

On 27 March 2018, the National Rugby League announced that the Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors, St. George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters had won bids to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's competition, commencing in September 2018.[14][15]

The Brisbane Broncos were the most dominant team in the opening three seasons winning all three minor premierships and all three premierships.

2021–present: Competition expansion

[edit]

In June 2021 the NRL announced that the NRLW competition would commence expansion and increase to six teams. Initially this meant adding an additional two teams to the competition; however, the New Zealand Warriors announced that they were withdrawing from the competition due to difficulties of moving through borders during the COVID pandemic and an exodus of players and officials. This created an additional spot in the competition, with the NRL announcing that the Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels would be joining the competition for the 2021 season to keep numbers at six.[16]

In March 2022, the National Rugby League and Australian Rugby League Commission announced that NRLW competition would further expand over the course of the 2023 and 2024 seasons by adding two clubs in each season.[17][18] Clubs were invited to make submissions to join the league and were required to by April 2022, six were received.[19] The clubs that made submissions for an NRLW licence in the expanded competition were: Canberra Raiders,[20][21] Cronulla Sharks,[22] North Queensland Cowboys,[23][24][25] South Sydney Rabbitohs,[26] Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers.[27] The New Zealand Warriors had previously indicated their desire to return a team to the NRLW competition,[28] but they did not place a submission at this time.

In June 2022, the NRL changed their stance and decided to bring all expansion sides in together with the four teams all be admitted in the 2023 season[29] and that those four clubs were Canberra, Cronulla, North Queensland and Wests Tigers.[30][31]

Following the announcement both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers released statements congratulating the clubs that had been chosen and that they both would be interested in joining the competition in future seasons.[32][33]

The 2023 NRLW season ran for 11 weeks with 9 rounds, Semi-finals and a Grand Final with the Newcastle Knights claiming their second premiership and the first of the expanded 10 team competition.

On 28 March 2024, the NRL announced that the competition would expand by two teams in the 2025 season, with the addition of Canterbury Bulldogs and the return of the New Zealand Warriors.[34] The 2025 season commenced on the 3rd July with Parramatta defeating Cronulla.

Clubs

[edit]

The NRLW currently consists of twelve clubs. Six clubs are based within the Greater Sydney area (including one that also represents the Illawarra region south of Sydney), another in regional New South Wales, three in Queensland, and one each in the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand. The league operates on a single group system, with no divisions or conferences and no relegation or promotion.

Current clubs

[edit]
Club Location(s) Home Venue(s) (capacity) Est. NRLW debut Premierships
Total Last
Brisbane Broncos Queensland Brisbane
(Milton) 		Suncorp Stadium (52,500) Totally Workwear Stadium (3,500) 1988 2018 4 2025
Canberra Raiders Australian Capital Territory Canberra
(Bruce) 		GIO Stadium (25,011) 1982 2023 0 —
Canterbury Bulldogs New South Wales Sydney
(Belmore) 		Belmore Sports Ground (16,000), Accor Stadium (82,000) 1935 2025 0 —
Cronulla Sharks New South Wales Sydney
(Woolooware) 		Sharks Stadium (15,000) 1967 2023 0 —
Gold Coast Titans Queensland Gold Coast
(Robina) 		Cbus Super Stadium (27,400) 2007 2021 0 —
Newcastle Knights New South Wales Newcastle
(New Lambton) 		McDonald Jones Stadium (33,000) 1988 2021 2 2023
New Zealand Warriors New Zealand Auckland
(Penrose) 		Mount Smart Stadium (25,000) FMG Stadium (25,800) 1995 2018 i 0 —
North Queensland Cowboys Queensland Townsville
(Railway Estate) 		Queensland Country Bank Stadium (25,455) 1995 2023 0 —
Parramatta Eels New South Wales Sydney
(Parramatta) 		CommBank Stadium (30,000) Eric Tweedale Stadium (5,000) 1947 2021 0 —
St. George Illawarra Dragons New South Wales Sydney
(Carlton) (St. George),
New South Wales Wollongong (CBD) 		Jubilee Stadium (20,500),
WIN Stadium (23,000) Allianz Stadium (42,500)
 1998 2018 0 —
Sydney Roosters New South Wales Sydney
(Eastern Suburbs) 		Allianz Stadium (42,500), Polytec Stadium (20,059) 1908 2018 2 2024
Wests Tigers New South Wales Sydney
(Campbelltown),
New South Wales Sydney
(Leichhardt) 		Campbelltown Stadium (17,500),
CommBank Stadium (30,000) Leichhardt Oval (20,000)
|Allianz Stadium (42,500) 		2000 2023 0 —
  • i The New Zealand Warriors were in recess between 2020 and 2024 inclusive

Players

[edit]
Members of the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRL Women's team assemble outside Jubilee Oval during a promotional appearance in August 2018
See also: List of current NRL Women's team squads

The club's playing lists were constructed from scratch through the later stages of 2018. All participants in the 2018 season were required to be over the age of 17.

Initially, clubs were asked to nominate a list of desired players, with the NRL assigning two of these "marquee" players to each club. In addition, clubs were able to sign a number of players with existing connections to the club, or with arrangements for club sponsored work or study.

Salary

[edit]
See also: NRL salary cap

NRL Women's Premiership hands contracts to 40 elite women players.[35][36][37]

The top level salary in 2022 is $60,000 (excluding marquee deals). Representative Origin payments are $6,000 per game.[38]

Season structure

[edit]

Pre-season

[edit]

Prior to the commencement of the NRLW home-and-away season teams use this time to organise trial matches to test playing combinations.

Premiership season

[edit]
See also: 2025 NRL Women's season

The season operates using a Round-robin format, until 2024, the top four finishing teams contested two Semi-final matches, first versus fourth and second-place versus third with the winners meeting in a Grand Final which was typically held on the same day as the men's NRL Grand Final.[5] From 2025 with the expansion to twelve teams, the format changed to a six team series over three weeks. Winners of 3rd place versus 6th place and 4th place versus 5th place in Week 1 meet 1st place and 2nd place in Week 2 semi-finals. Winners of the semi-finals meet in the Grand Final in Week 3.

For the first three seasons — 2018, 2019 and 2020 — the draw was structured around the men's finals series and the top two of the then four teams contested the Grand Final.[39] Due to measures in place to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia in September-October 2021, the 2021 NRLW season was postponed until February 2022, with the Grand Final held as a stand-alone match on Sunday, 10 April 2022. For the actual 2022 season, the NRLW Grand Final reverted to being held on the same day as the NRL men's Grand Final, which was Sunday, 2 October 2022. The two Grand Finals — women's and men's — were also held on the same day and venue in 2023, and (as scheduled for) 2024.

The rules and regulations are mostly the same as in the men's game, with a few exceptions:[40]

  • original matches were sixty minutes long, with thirty minutes in each half. 2022 season revised to seventy minute matches, consisting of thirty-five minutes per half.
  • ten interchanges in each match, with an additional two during golden point; and
  • a 40/30 kick advantage providing for tactical kicking and unpredictability during matches.

Postseason

[edit]

In October 2018, NRL announced the inaugural edition of Rugby League World Cup 9s in Western Sydney on 18–19 October 2019, featuring 12 international men's teams and 4 women's teams.[41] This would be around one month after the Women's Grand Final and preseason tournament Auckland Nines in previous years was replaced.

Seasons

[edit]
Season Teams Premiers Runners-up Minor Premiers Wooden Spoon
NRL Women's Premiership
2018 4 Brisbane Broncos Sydney Roosters Brisbane Broncos St George Illawarra Dragons
2019 4 Brisbane Broncos (2) St George Illawarra Dragons Brisbane Broncos (2) Sydney Roosters
2020 4 Brisbane Broncos (3) Sydney Roosters (2) Brisbane Broncos (3) St George Illawarra Dragons (2)
2021* 6 Sydney Roosters St George Illawarra Dragons (2) Brisbane Broncos (4) Newcastle Knights
2022 6 Newcastle Knights Parramatta Eels Sydney Roosters Gold Coast Titans
2023 10 Newcastle Knights (2) Gold Coast Titans Newcastle Knights Parramatta Eels
2024 10 Sydney Roosters (2) Cronulla Sharks Brisbane Broncos (5) Wests Tigers
2025 12 Brisbane Broncos (4) Sydney Roosters (3) Sydney Roosters (2) Wests Tigers

* The 2021 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the season started on 27 February 2022 and was completed on 10 April.

Grand Finals

[edit]
Season Premiers Score Runners-up Referee(s) Venue Date Att.
2018 Brisbane Broncos 34–12 Sydney Roosters Jon Stone
Kasey Badger 		ANZ Stadium
Sydney 		30 September 2018 16,214
2019 Brisbane Broncos 30–6 St George Illawarra Dragons Kasey Badger
Daniel Schwass 		ANZ Stadium
Sydney 		6 October 2019 36,785
2020 Brisbane Broncos 20–10 Sydney Roosters Belinda Sharpe ANZ Stadium
Sydney 		25 October 2020 9.071
2021 Sydney Roosters 16–4 St George Illawarra Dragons Belinda Sharpe Moreton Daily Stadium
Brisbane 		10 April 2022 7,855
2022 Newcastle Knights 32–12 Parramatta Eels Kasey Badger Accor Stadium
Sydney 		2 October 2022 42,921
2023 Newcastle Knights 24–18 Gold Coast Titans Belinda Sharpe Accor Stadium
Sydney 		1 October 2023 40,649
2024 Sydney Roosters 32–28 Cronulla Sharks Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Accor Stadium
Sydney 		6 October 2024 40,623
2025 Brisbane Broncos 22-18 Sydney Roosters Belinda Sharpe Accor Stadium
Sydney 		5 October 2025 46,288

Awards

[edit]

The following major individual awards and accolades are presented each season:

  • Best & Fairest Trophy – to the best and fairest player in the league, voted by the referees
  • Leading Try Award – to the player who scores the most tries during the home-and-away season
  • Rookie of the Year –[42]
  • Veronica White Medal –[43]
  • Karyn Murphy Medal – the best player on the ground in the NRL Women's Grand Final, not voted by a committee of media members[44]
Season Player of the Year Rookie Try Scorer Veronica White Karyn Murphy Medal
Dally M Medal RLPA
Players' Champion		 Community Grand Final
Player of the Match
2018 Brittany Breayley-Nati NA — Taleena Simon — Kimiora Breayley-Nati
2019 Jessica Sergis Jessica Sergis Jessica Sergis Honey Hireme Annette Brander
2020 Ali Brigginshaw Hannah Southwell Kennedy Cherrington Tamika Upton Georgia Hale Amber Hall
2021 Millie Boyle
Emma Tonegato		 Emma Tonegato Destiny Brill Madison Bartlett Karina Brown Sarah Togatuki
2022 Raecene McGregor Raecene McGregor Jesse Southwell Teagan Berry
Jayme Fressard
Tamika Upton		 Tamika Upton
2023 Tamika Upton Teagan Berry Annessa Biddle Teagan Berry Tahlulah Tillett Tamika Upton
2024 Olivia Kernick Isabelle Kelly Kasey Reh Julia Robinson
Sheridan Gallagher
Tiana Penitani		 Kimberley Hunt Tarryn Aiken
2025 Tamika Upton Tamika Upton Shalom Sauaso Tamika Upton Rhiannon Byers Mele Hufanga

Middo's Top 5 Players

[edit]

Middo's Top 5 Players of 2023

[edit]

Rugby League's most respected historian and statician, David Middleton has picked his top five players for the 2023 NRLW season. [45]

Player Club
Tamika Upton Newcastle Knights
Tarryn Aiken Sydney Roosters
Shannon Mato Gold Coast Titans
Teagan Berry St George Illawarra Dragons
Mele Hufanga Brisbane Broncos

Middo's Top 5 Players of 2024

[edit]

Rugby League's most respected historian and statician, David Middleton has picked his top five players for the 2024 NRLW season. [46]

Player Club
Tarryn Aiken Sydney Roosters
Isabelle Kelly Sydney Roosters
Olivia Kernick Sydney Roosters
Tiana Penitani-Gray Cronulla Sharks
Julia Robinson Brisbane Broncos

Middo's Top 5 Players of 2025

[edit]

Rugby League's most respected historian and statician, David Middleton has picked his top five players for the 2025 NRLW season. [47]

Player Club
Abbi Church Parramatta Eels
Olivia Kernick Sydney Roosters
Julia Robinson Brisbane Broncos
Jesse Southwell Newcastle Knights
Tamika Upton Brisbane Broncos

Records

[edit]
Main article: List of NRL Women's records

Most appearances

[edit]

The following players have made 40 or more appearances in NRLW matches.
Table last updated 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final of the 2025 Season).

R Player Debut Seasons Matches 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
1 Ali Brigginshaw 2018 8 56 4 4 4 6 5 10 10 13
1 Keeley Davis 2018 8 56 3 4 3 7 6 9 11 13
3 Chelsea Lenarduzzi 2018 8 55 4 3 4 6 5 10 10 13
3 Isabelle Kelly 2018 8 55 4 3 2 7 6 10 11 12
5 Yasmin Clydsdale 2020 6 52 — — 4 7 7 11 10 13
5 Zahara Temara 2018 8 52 4 3 4 7 6 9 9 10
7 Jocelyn Kelleher 2020 6 51 — — 3 7 6 10 11 13
7 Shaylee Bent 2019 7 51 — 4 2 7 6 11 9 12
9 Georgia Hale 2018 8 50 3 3 3 5 5 11 9 11
9 Tamika Upton 2019 7 50 — 3 4 4 5 11 10 13
11 Simaima Taufa 2018 8 49 4 2 4 5 7 9 8 11
12 Ellie Johnston 2020 6 48 — — 3 5 7 9 11 13
12 Jessika Elliston 2019 7 48 — 1 4 6 5 11 9 12
12 Raecene McGregor 2018 8 48 3 4 4 7 5 9 9 7
12 Tiana Penitani Gray 2019 7 48 — 4 2 5 5 9 11 12
16 Olivia Higgins 2021 5 47 — — — 7 7 11 10 12
16 Olivia Kernick 2021 5 47 — — — 7 6 10 11 13
16 Tallisha Harden 2018 8 47 1 3 4 6 4 9 9 11
19 Holli Wheeler 2018 7 46 3 4 — 7 6 7 10 9
19 Jessica Sergis 2018 8 46 3 4 3 6 6 6 5 13
19 Julia Robinson 2018 8 46 4 3 4 2 5 6 10 12
19 Sarah Togatuki 2018 7 46 3 — 4 7 5 7 9 11
19 Shanice Parker 2019 6 46 — 1 4 — 7 11 10 13
19 Tayla Predebon 2021 5 46 — — — 7 7 11 9 12
25 Keilee Joseph 2021 5 45 — — — 6 6 10 10 13
25 Kirra Dibb 2019 7 45 — 3 3 5 7 9 9 9
25 Lauren Brown 2020 6 45 — — 4 6 5 11 7 12
25 Nita Maynard-Perrin 2018 8 45 4 3 4 4 3 11 8 8
25 Quincy Dodd 2019 7 45 — 1 4 7 6 9 11 7
25 Romy Teitzel 2023 6 45 — — 1 5 7 10 9 13
25 Tarryn Aiken 2019 7 45 — 4 4 6 5 10 9 7
32 Hannah Southwell 2018 8 44 3 3 3 7 1 8 10 9
33 Emma Verran 2021 5 43 — — — 7 6 9 9 12
34 Brittany Breayley-Nati 2018 7 42 4 4 — 6 5 11 9 3
34 Emma Manzelmann 2021 5 42 — — — 5 7 9 9 12
34 Hayley Maddick 2021 5 42 — — — 5 4 10 10 13
34 Talei Holmes 2020 6 42 — — 3 4 3 9 10 13
38 Brydie Parker 2018 6 41 2 — 4 7 — 10 5 13
38 Destiny Brill 2021 5 41 — — — 6 6 9 9 11
38 Teagan Berry 2020 6 41 — — 1 7 6 9 9 9
41 Amber Hall 2019 7 40 — 4 3 6 5 1 10 11
41 Jesse Southwell 2022 4 40 — — — — 7 11 9 13
41 Kezie Apps 2018 8 40 3 4 2 5 5 7 3 11
41 Madison Bartlett 2019 7 40 — 2 3 6 5 9 9 6
41 Otesa Pule 2022 4 40 — — — — 6 10 11 13
41 Shenae Ciesiolka 2020 6 40 — — 3 6 5 10 8 8
41 Stephanie Hancock 2018 7 40 4 4 3 6 5 11 7 —

Most Individual Points

[edit]

The following players have scored 100 or more points in NRLW matches.
Table last updated 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final of the 2025 Season).

R Player Debut S M T G FG P 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
1 Jocelyn Kelleher 2020 6 51 7 119 1 267 — — 0 1t 2t 2t 32g 1t 37g 1t 50g 1fg
2 Zahara Temara 2018 8 52 7 110 3 251 3g 0 1t 9g 10g 1fg 1t 21g 1t 21g 1fg 2t 25g 2t 21g 1fg
3 Jesse Southwell 2022 4 40 7 102 0 232 — — — — 2t 6g 3t 33g 22g 2t 41g
4 Romy Teitzel 2020 6 45 13 74 0 200 — — 0 2t 3t 0 4t 24g 4t 50g
5 Kirra Dibb 2019 7 45 6 85 2 196 — 4g 1t 4g 4g 1t 15g 1t 18g 1fg 1t 18g 1fg 2t 22g
6 Tamika Upton 2019 7 50 46 0 0 184 — 1t 5t 1t 5t 7t 7t 20t
7 Rachael Pearson 2021 5 38 5 81 1 183 — — — 1t 12g 8g 1fg 12g 1t 22g 3t 27g
8 Tayla Preston 2022 4 37 3 83 0 178 — — — — 1t 15g 1t 25g 22g 1t 21g
9 Lauren Brown 2020 6 45 6 69 3 165 — — 1t 19g 7g 1t 11g 2fg 3t 11g 1t 21g 1fg
10 Teagan Berry 2020 6 41 37 1 0 150 — — 1t 1g 4t 5t 11t 8t 8t
11 Julia Robinson 2018 8 46 32 0 0 128 2t 1t 2t 1t 3t 5t 9t 9t
12 Ali Brigginshaw 2018 8 56 13 35 0 122 2t 1t 1t 1t 2t 3g 5t 32g 1t 0
13 Madison Bartlett 2019 7 40 30 0 0 120 — 1t 1t 6t 3t 7t 8t 4t
14 Sheridan Gallagher 2023 3 32 25 7 0 114 — — — — — 7t 4g 9t 3g 9t
15 Jessica Sergis 2018 8 46 28 0 0 112 1t 3t 1t 1t 2t 7t 5t 8t
16 Mele Hufanga 2023 3 33 25 0 0 100 — — — — — 10t 7t 8t

Most Points in each season

[edit]
Season Player Club M T G FG Points
2018 Chelsea Baker Broncos 4 2 15 0 38
2019 Maddie Studdon Dragons 4 0 8 0 16
2020 Meg Ward Broncos 4 1 13 0 30
2021 Lauren Brown Broncos 6 0 19 0 38
2022 Zahara Temara Roosters 6 1 21 0 46
2023 Ali Brigginshaw Broncos 10 5 32 0 84
2024 Jocelyn Kelleher Roosters 11 1 37 0 78
2025 Romy Teitzel Broncos 13 4 50 0 116
Note:
  • The maximum number of matches including finals has increased over time from 4 in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons, 7 in 2021 and 2022, and 11 in 2023 and 2024, and a potential 14 from 2025.
  • In the first five seasons, 2018 to 2022, the player with the most points in each season has also been the player with the most goals in each season.
  • Jesse Southwell (Knights) with 78 points from 3 tries and 33 goals (from 11 games) finished in second place as point-scorer for the 2023 season, and also in first place as the leading goal scorer in 2023.
  • Romy Teitzel (Broncos) with 64 points from 4 tries and 24 goals (from 9 games) was the leading point-scorer for 2024 at the completion of the rounds. Jocelyn Kelleher was in second place with 62 points from 1 try and 29 goals. Kelleher was the leading goal-kicker at the competition of the rounds. Zahara Temara was in third place for the 2024 season with 58 points from 2 tries and 25 goals.
  • Kelleher's tally went above Teitzel's tally in the Semi-Final, with the former kicking 4 goals and the latter unable to play due to injury. Kelleher added a further 8 points from 4 goals in the Grand Final.
  • After 11 rounds of the 2025 season Romy Teitzel on 106 points, led Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters), 94, Jesse Southwell (Knights), 78, and Tamika Upton, 72.
  • After the Grand Final the 2025 season Romy Teitzel on 116 points, led Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters), 105, Jesse Southwell (Knights), 80, and Tamika Upton, also 80.
  • Last updated 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final).


Most tries scored

[edit]

In a career

[edit]

The following players have scored 15 or more tries in NRLW matches.
Table last updated 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final of the 2025 Season).

R Player M T 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
1 Tamika Upton 50 46 — 1 5 1 5 7 7 20
2 Teagan Berry 41 37 — — 1 4 5 11 8 8
3 Julia Robinson 46 32 2 1 2 1 3 5 9 9
4 Madison Bartlett 40 30 — 1 1 6 3 7 8 4
5 Jessica Sergis 46 28 1 3 1 1 2 7 5 8
=6 Sheridan Gallagher 32 25 — — — — — 7 9 9
=6 Mele Hufanga 33 25 — — — — — 10 7 8
8 Isabelle Kelly 55 24 2 0 0 4 3 5 3 7
9 Jayme Fressard 37 23 — — 0 1 5 6 6 5
10 Jaime Chapman 36 21 — — 0 3 4 9 3 2
=11 Olivia Kernick 47 20 — — — 3 3 1 6 7
=11 Georgia Ravics 28 20 — — — — — 5 5 10
13 Tarryn Aiken 45 19 — 0 1 2 3 5 3 5
14 Tiana Penitani Gray 48 18 — 2 1 2 2 2 9 0
=15 Shenae Ciesiolka 40 17 — — 0 4 3 5 5 0
=15 Emma Verran 43 17 — — — 4 1 3 0 9
=17 Chelsea Lenarduzzi 55 16 0 1 2 1 1 3 4 4
=17 Jasmine Peters 38 16 — — — 4 0 3 4 5
=19 Emily Bass 28 15 — — — 4 0 2 6 3
=19 Ellie Johnston 48 15 — — 0 1 1 6 4 3
=19 Payton Takimoana 11 15 — — — — — — — 15
=19 Simaima Taufa 49 15 0 2 0 1 4 2 4 2

Most Tries in each season

[edit]
Season Player Club Matches Tries
2018 Taleena Simon Roosters 4 4
2019 Jessica Sergis Dragons 4 3
2020 Tamika Upton Broncos 4 5
2021 Madison Bartlett Dragons 6 6
2022 Teagan Berry Dragons 6 5
Jayme Fressard Roosters 5
Tamika Upton Knights 5
2023 Teagan Berry Dragons 9 11
2024 Sheridan Gallagher Knights 8 9
Julia Robinson Broncos 10
Tiana Penitani Sharks 11
2025 Tamika Upton Broncos 13 20
Note:
  • Gallagher and Robinson with 9 tries each, were the equal leading try scorers for 2024 at the completion of the rounds. Both played in their team's respective Semi-Final, but neither scored.
  • Penitani scored six tries across the nine rounds of the regular season, one try in the Semi-Final and two tries in the Grand Final.
  • Two players were in equal fourth place for the 2024 season with 8 tries: Teagan Berry (Dragons) and Madison Bartlett (Raiders).
  • After 11 rounds of the 2025 season, Tamika Upton (Broncos) with 18 tries, led Payton Takimoana (Warriors), on 15 tries, Taina Naividi (Roosters) on 11 tries and Georgia Ravis (Sharks) on 10 tries.
  • After the Grand Final of the 2025 season, Tamika Upton (Broncos) with 20 tries, led Payton Takimoana (Warriors), on 15 tries, Taina Naividi (Roosters) on 11 tries and Georgia Ravis (Sharks) and Kerri Johnson (Broncos) on 10 tries.
  • Last updated on 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final).


Most Tries in a Match

[edit]
Further information: List of NRL Women's records § In a match (Try hattricks)
Player Club Tries Times Date Round Opponent Venue Ref
Taleena Simon Roosters 4 4' 8' 10' 33' 22 Sep 2018 3 Dragons Allianz Stadium NRL
Mele Hufanga Broncos 4 6' 27' 37' 40' 5 Aug 2023 3 Cowboys Queensland Country Bank Stadium NRL
Teagan Berry Dragons 4 28' 42' 49' 66' 26 Aug 2023 6 Titans Netsrata Jubilee Stadium NRL
Mele Hufanga Broncos 4 29' 34' 46' 62' 12 Aug 2024 3 Titans Totally Workwear Stadium NRL
Emma Verran Sharks 4 12' 23' 32' 38' 12 Jul 2025 2 Raiders GIO Stadium NRL
Tamika Upton Broncos 4 24' 44' 49' 65' 31 Aug 2025 9 Bulldogs Totally Workwear Stadium NRL

Most Goals in a Match

[edit]
Further information: List of NRL Women's records § Most goals kicked
Player Club Goals Times Missed Date Round Opponent Venue Ref
Tayla Preston Sharks 8 2' 5' 11' 31' 34' 39' 55' 70' 21' 64' 17 Sep 2023 9 Eels GIO Stadium NRL
Georgia Hannaway Sharks 8 4' 13' 24' 28' 34' 41' 50' 67' 40' 54' 12 Jul 2025 2 Raiders GIO Stadium NRL
Zahara Temara Raiders 8 10' 15' 24' 28' 42' 55' 57' 60' 2' 52' 23 Aug 2025 8 Bulldogs Belmore Sports Ground NRL

Premierships

[edit]
Tally Club Seasons Ref
4 Brisbane Broncos 2018, 2019, 2020, 2025 [48][49][50]
2 Newcastle Knights 2022, 2023 [51][52]
2 Sydney Roosters 2021, 2024 [53][54]

Most consecutive

[edit]


Runners-up

[edit]
Tally Club Seasons
3 Sydney Roosters 2018, 2020, 2025
2 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2019, 2021
1 Parramatta Eels 2022
1 Gold Coast Titans 2023
1 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2024


Minor Premierships

[edit]
Tally Club Seasons
5 Brisbane Broncos 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
2 Sydney Roosters 2022, 2025
1 Newcastle Knights 2023

Most consecutive

[edit]


Matches played

[edit]
All Time Ladder
Pos Team First game Pld W D L PF PA Win% Share %
1 Brisbane Broncos 9 September 2018 56 41 0 15 1508 796 73.21% 65.45%
2 Sydney Roosters 8 September 2018 58 40 0 18 1385 824 68.97% 62.70%
3 Newcastle Knights 27 February 2022 46 30 0 16 1052 780 65.22% 57.42%
4 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 23 July 2023 33 18 0 15 647 533 54.55% 54.83%
5 Gold Coast Titans 27 February 2022 43 20 1 22 683 807 47.67% 45.84%
6 North Queensland Cowboys 22 July 2023 30 13 0 17 474 684 43.33% 40.93%
7 Canberra Raiders 23 July 2023 29 11 0 18 550 747 37.93% 42.41%
8 St George Illawarra Dragons 9 September 2018 52 19 0 33 841 1092 36.54% 43.51%
9 New Zealand Warriors 8 September 2018 20 8 0 12 304 362 40.00% 45.65%
10 Parramatta Eels 27 February 2022 41 15 0 26 647 969 36.59% 40.04%
11 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 4 July 2025 11 3 1 7 162 310 31.82% 34.32%
12 Wests Tigers 23 July 2023 29 5 0 24 344 693 17.24% 33.17%

Last updated: 6 October 2025 (after the Grand Final)
Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.


Media coverage

[edit]

Television

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In its inaugural season all matches will be televised live by affiliate partners the Nine Network and Fox League.[55] And NRLWRAP

Online

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The official internet/mobile broadcast partner of the NRL is 9Now and Kayo Sports.

Outside Australia, the inaugural season is available on WatchNRL.

Corporate relations

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Sponsorship

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Holden is the league's past and inaugural naming rights partner.[56][57]

Telstra is the league's naming rights partner.

All playing and training equipment as well as all licensed apparel and hats for the league's four clubs are manufactured by Nike.

Other league sponsors include Rebel Sport,[58] Harvey Norman and Kellogg's.

The official ball supplier is Steeden.[59]

Merchandising

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Official match day attire together with other club merchandise is sold through the NRL's stores and website as well through the clubs and through some retailers.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lulham, Amanda (29 August 2016). "Women's rugby league passes test with flying colours as Cronulla beat Dragons in historic nines match". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  2. ^ Carayannis, Michael (27 August 2016). "The Sharks have beaten the Dragons 16–12 in a historic NRL womens [sic] nines match". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. ^ Coman, James (11 March 2017). "Women's Nines: Sharks defeat Raiders". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Women's Rugby League World Cup: Australia's Jillaroos beat New Zealand 23–16 in final to claim world title". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b Bungard, Matt (6 December 2017). "NRL 2018: National women's competition set to run next season". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  6. ^ Bungard, Matt; Proszenko, Adrian (6 December 2017). "NRL 2018: Knights, Dragons first to declare bids for licences for women's tournament". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  7. ^ Jennings, Mitch (22 February 2018). "Apps backs Dragons women's NRL bid". Bega District News. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Dragons confirm interest in women's competition". Dragons.com.au. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  9. ^ Barnsley, Warren (20 December 2017). "New women's NRL excites Jillaroos but more details are needed, say players". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  10. ^ Bollen, Fiona (9 March 2018). "NRL women's comp starts 2018, what we know and don't know about it". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  11. ^ Perry, Jodan (6 December 2017). "NRL Women's Premiership a dream come true for Jillaroos hero Ruan Sims". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  12. ^ Cavanagh, Chris (6 December 2017). "Melbourne Storm pushing for team in new women's competition". Herald Sun. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  13. ^ "NRL left without women's team out west". Special Broadcasting Service. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  14. ^ Arnold, Rikki-Lee (19 March 2018). "Broncos win spot in NRL women's competition". news.com.au. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  15. ^ Newton, Alicia (27 March 2018). "Geographic location the focus as NRL women's teams announced". NRL.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Knights, Titans and Eels to join NRLW in 2021". NRL. 11 June 2021.
  17. ^ "ARLC announce expansion for NRLW, Women's State of Origin". NRL. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  18. ^ Walter, Brad (15 March 2022). "Stars set to earn fulltime deals in expanded NRLW". NRL. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  19. ^ Riccio, David (23 April 2022). "Abdo Responds To Shark Alarm". Daily Telegraph. p. 95.
  20. ^ "Raiders aim for 2023 NRLW inclusion". Raiders.com.au. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  21. ^ Polkinghorne, David (23 April 2022). "Canberra lodges submission to join NRLW expansion". Canberra Times.
  22. ^ "Special delivery: Sharks confirm intent to join NRLW in 2023". NRL. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Cowboys launch NRLW bid". Cowboys.com.au. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Cowboys to apply for 2023 NRLW". Cowboys.com.au. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Cowboys formally submit bid for 2023 NRLW team". NRL. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Rabbitohs Welcome NRLW Expansion and Investment in Women's Game". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  27. ^ Newton, Alicia (14 October 2021). "Wests Tigers' NRLW push heats up with Apps, Sergis signings". Wests Tigers. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  28. ^ Becht, Richard (11 June 2021). "Warriors out of 2021 NRLW but will return next year". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  29. ^ "Statement on NRLW expansion". NRL. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  30. ^ "NRLW Announcement". NRL. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  31. ^ Newton, Alicia (15 June 2022). "Sharks, Raiders, Cowboys and Wests Tigers to join NRLW in 2023". NRL. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Rabbitohs statement regarding NRLW licences and expansion". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  33. ^ "Club Statement: NRLW submission". Penrith Panthers. Panthers Media. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  34. ^ "New NRLW teams announced for 2025 competition". NRL. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  35. ^ "NRL women get elite contracts". www.news.com.au.
  36. ^ "NRL 2018 salary cap: NRL, RLPA agree to new pay deal for players". foxsports.com.au. 3 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Elite female rugby league contracts confirmed for 2019". April 2019.
  38. ^ Stars set to earn fulltime deals in expanded NRLW by Brad Walter for NRL.com Senior 15 Mar 2022
  39. ^ "Panthers and Dragons looking to find form before finals". The Roar. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  40. ^ Newton, Alicia (4 September 2018). "What you need to know: NRL Holden Women's Premiership". NRL.com. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  41. ^ "RLIF welcomes announcement of Downers Rugby League World Cup 9s". nrl.com. RLIF. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  42. ^ "Women's Rugby League". www.facebook.com.
  43. ^ "Veronica White Medal".
  44. ^ "NRL announces Karyn Murphy medal for women's best". National Rugby League. 3 September 2018.
  45. ^ "David Middleton's top five NRL and NRLW players of 2023". nrl.com.au. League Information Services. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  46. ^ "David Middleton's top five NRLW players of 2024". nrl.com.au. League Information Services. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  47. ^ "David Middleton's top 5 NRLW players of 2025". nrl.com.au. League Information Services. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  48. ^ Newton, Alicia (30 September 2018). "Broncos smash Roosters to win inaugural NRLW". NRL. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  49. ^ Newton, Alicia (6 October 2019). "Broncos thump Dragons to claim back-to-back NRLW titles". NRL. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  50. ^ Newton, Alicia (25 October 2020). "Three-peat complete: Brilliant Broncos kick clear of plucky Roosters". NRL. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  51. ^ Hogan, Kelsey (2 October 2022). "On the up and Upton: No.1 gun leads Knights to maiden NRLW title". NRL. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  52. ^ "From the Winner's sheds: Ronald Griffiths". NRL. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  53. ^ Lenehan, Martin (10 April 2022). "Third time lucky as Roosters down Dragons in epic NRLW decider". NRL. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  54. ^ Mee, Cameron (6 October 2024). "Roosters hold off Sharks to claim NRLW decider". NRL. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  55. ^ "Nine reveal exciting 2018 rugby league coverage". wwos.nine.com.au. 28 February 2018.
  56. ^ "NRL Holden Women's Premiership teams announced". National Rugby League. 26 March 2018.
  57. ^ "NRL Holden Women's Premiership teams announced". media.gm.com. 28 March 2018.
  58. ^ "NRL and Rebel announce partnership". National Rugby League. 7 September 2018.
  59. ^ "Home". steeden.com.au.
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