After months of waiting, the 2023 NRLW will begin today. Zero Tackle has you covered as the players get ready to run out of the shed onto the field.
This masthead will be analysing the teams, which players are set to be included in the starting team for each club, and the player to watch for every side.
The three-time NRLW premiers are looking to reign the competition once again and have made multiple changes to the squad, losing key players but bringing in a handful of new individuals.
Led by Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw and coach Scott Prince, the Broncos will be hoping their Queensland rivals don't finish ahead of them on the table.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Hayley Maddick
Wingers: Julia Robinson & Ash Werner
Centres: Mele Hufanga & Shenae Ciesiolka
Halves: Gayle Broughton & Ali Brigginshaw (c)
Props: Chelsea Lenaaurduzzi & Annetta Nu'uausala
Hooker: Destiny Brill
Second-Rowers: Romy Teitzel & Tazmin Gray
Lock: Mariah Denman
Interchange: Brianna Clark, Hannah Larsson, Filomina Hanisi & Jada Ferguson
Other Players in Squad: Tafito Lafaele, Lavinia Gould, Lauren Dam, Grace Griffin, Toni Hunt, Narikah Orchard, Jasmine Fogavini
Player to Watch: Gayle Broughton
Entering the Broncos due to the departure of Tarryn Aiken, Gayle Broughton is set to create a lethal combination with skipper Ali Brigginshaw in the halves this season.
Originally playing fullback for the Eels last year, she's made her intentions clear with the New Zealand international wanting to take the #6 jersey and will bring a whole new realm of skill to the position with the ball in her hands.
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Competing in their first NRLW competition, the Raiders have been able to sign numerous marquee signings with a wealth of experience both in the NRLW and internationally.
While they are unlikely to walk away with a premiership title this season, they have instead aimed to focus on creating a squad that will give them success in the next few years while also creating a breeding ground for the next generation of talent.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Apii Nicholls
Wingers: Madison Bartlett & Shakiah Tungai
Centres: Felice Quinlan & Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Halves: Ash Quinlan & Zahara Temara (c)
Props: Sophie Holyman & Tommaya Kelly-Sines
Hooker: Chante Temara
Second-Rowers: Hollie-Mae Dodd & Monalise Soliola
Lock: Simaima Taufa (c)
Interchange: Emma Barnes, Grace Kemp, Kerehitina Matua & Ahlivia Ingram
Other Players in Squad: Jessica Gentle, Petesa Lio, Ua Ravu, Tara Reinke, Eloise Ryan, Elise Smith, Mackenzie Wiki
Player to Watch: Zahara Temara
Co-captain with Simaima Taufa, Temara joins the club from the Sydney Roosters, where she enjoyed a lot of success. The competition's leading point-scorer in its history expect nothing but dominance from Temara.
Wearing the #7 jersey, she will be relied upon more this season as she doesn't have the likes of Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly surrounding her.
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In their maiden NRLW season, the Cronulla Sharks look to spice up the competition, having made several key signings headlined by the arrival of Emma Tonegato from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The squad boasts a wealth of experience for a new side, with 16 players having previous NRLW experience. The spine of Jada Taylor, Emma Tonegato, Tayla Preston and Qunicy Dodd will be essential if they are to go far in the competition.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Jada Taylor
Wingers: Andie Robinson & Annessa Biddle
Centres: Tiana Penitani (c) & Kiana Takairangi
Halves: Emma Tonegato & Tayla Preston
Props: Ellie Johnston & Rhiannon Byers
Hooker: Quincy Dodd
Second-Rowers: Vanessa Foliaki & Talei Holmes
Lock: Hollie Wheeler
Interchange: Maddie Studdorn, Tegan Dymock, Harata Butler, Fatafehi Hanisi
Other Players in Squad: Brooke Anderson, Fiona Jahnke, Sereana Naitokatoka, Georgia Ravics, Chloe Saunders, Cassie Staples and Jazmon Tupou-Witchman
Player to Watch: Jada Taylor
Bursting out on the scene with a 110-metre try during the 2022 Under 19s State of Origin, Taylor will be looking to breakout this season, having only managed one game last season for the Sydney Roosters.
Taylor has showcased she can live up to the pressure and perform on the big stage. However, she will be relied upon more heavily this season, especially with Tonegato's transition from the #1 jersey to the five-eighth role.
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After a lacklustre last season, the Gold Coast Titans are looking to challenge for the premiership and surprise the rest of the NRLW competition.
The Titans have the talent to go far in the competition with multiple international stars led by Georgia Hale but also boast an inexperienced roster with eight players yet to make their NRLW debut.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Evania Pelite
Wingers: Emily Bass & Karina Brown
Centres: Jaime Chapman & Niall Williams-Guthrie
Halves: Taliah Fuimaono & Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Props: Jessika Elliston & Shannon Mato
Hooker: Lauren Brown
Second-Rowers: Shaylee Bent & Zara Canfield
Lock: Georgia Hale (c)
Interchange: Brittany Breayley-Nati, Steph Hancock, Kaitlyn Phillips & Laikha Clarke
Other Players in Squad: Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Sienna Lofipo, Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell, Sophie Buller, Brooke Saddler, Dannii Perese, Rilee Jorgensen
Player to Watch: Georgia Hale
The Titans player to watch is none other than New Zealand international and club captain Georgia Hale. The hard worker controls the middle of the field in both attack and defence and embodies the NRLW spirit.
The leader will be aiming to mentor the younger players on the field and lead by example whenever she is given the chance. Powerful runs, big tackles and offloads are just three things in Hale's game that has made her a global superstar.
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The reigning NRLW premiers enter the new season with the most pressure on them. However, the club's roster will include a plethora of new faces due to key players like Millie Boyle departing the team.
As the core group is still in tact, the Knights are expected to go far in the competition and will likely contend for the NRLW premiership for the second straight season.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Tamika Upton
Wingers: Sheridan Gallagher & Jasmin Strange
Centres: Shanice Parker & Felila Kia
Halves: Caitlin Moran & Jesse Southwell
Props: Caitlan Johnston & Tayla Predebon
Hooker: Olivia Higgins
Second-Rowers: Yasmin Clydesdale & Cailan Johnston
Lock: Hannah Southwell (c)
Interchange: Nita Maynard, Kayla Romaniuk, Rima Butler & Simone Karpani
Other Players in Squad: Jules Kirkpatrick, Tiana Davison, Sheridan Gallagher, Jayde Herdegen, Caitlin Moran, Abigail Roache, Viena Tinao
Player to Watch: Jesse Southwell
After a sensational 2022 season, the youngster enters the 2023 season high on confidence after earning a selection for the NSW Blues in the recent State of Origin series. Her playmaking skills are exceptional, and she shouldn't be counted out in defence.
Providing a lethal combination with older sister Hannah, the Southwell sisters are key towards the club's success this season, given that superstar forward Millie Boyle is no longer with the club.
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Fielding one of the youngest squads in the NRLW, the North Queensland Cowboys enter the competition as one of the several newly formed clubs.
An average squad age of 22.5 means that there are free of expectations this season and will be more keen on gaining experience than winning the NRLW Premiership.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Fran Goldthrop
Wingers: China Polata & Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly
Centres: Jasmine Peters & Mia Middleton
Halves: Kirra Dibb (c) & Tahlulah Tillet
Props: April Ngatupuna & Sareka Mooka
Hooker: Emma Manzelmann
Second-Rowers: Tiana Raftstrand-Smith & Shaniah Power
Lock: Tallisha Harden (c)
Interchange: Makenzie Weale, Shellie Long, Bree Chester & Essay Banu
Other Players in Squad: Jetaya Faifua, Jessikah Reeves, Sera Koroi, Shaylee Joseph, Vitalina Naikore, Merewalesi Rokouono, Krystal Blackwell
Player to Watch: Kirra Dibb
An NRLW premiership winner with the Newcastle Knights, Dibb is easily the star recruit of the newly formed side and will be their key instrument in attack with the ball.
One of the best players in the NRLW, Dibb will be hoping to turn her amazing talents into wins for the Cowboys and is a great playmaker to have in the team.
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The Parramatta Eels will aim to build on their Cinderella story last season after reaching the Grand Final after only recording one win in the regular season.
With multiple new clubs joining the competition and them being high on confidence due to last season's success, expect the Eels to challenge as one of the top teams in the NRLW competition.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Abbi Church
Wingers: Monique Donovan & Zali Fay
Centres: Mahalia Murphy & Shontelle Stowers
Halves: Pihuka Berryman-Duff & Rachael Pearson
Props: Elsie Albert & Ruby-Jean Kennard
Hooker: Rueben Cherrington
Second-Rowers: Amelia Mafi & Talesha O'Neill
Lock: Kennedy Cherrington
Interchange: Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Kyra Simon, Shannon Muru & Nakia Davis-Welsh
Other Plays in Squad: Kelsey Clark, Kim Hunt, Rosemarie Beckett, Capri Paekau, Jade Fonua, Madeline Jones, Tyla Amiatu
Player to Watch: Kennedy Cherrington
After signing the largest contract in NRLW history, Cherrington will be aiming to guide the Eels to premiership success after reaching the Grand Final last season.
Cherrington will partner with her sister Reuben in the forwards and will be a key component in the club's forward stocks, starting in the lock forward position.
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The St George Illawarra Dragons will field a completely different team to last season, with only five players from the semi-final roster returning back to the club.
Relying on new recruits, they have picked up the reigning Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor, who is set to be the focal point of the entire squad, with the majority of the game being played through her hands.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Teagan Berry
Wingers: Taylor Mapusua & Shenai Lendill
Centres: Keele Browne & Bobbi Law
Halves: Tyla Nathan-Wong & Raecene McGregor
Props: Tara McGrath-West & Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Hooker: Kaarla Cowan
Second-Rowers: Sara Sautia & Roxy Murdoch-Masil
Lock: Alexis Tauaneai
Interchange: Zali Hopkins, Jamilee Bright, Maddison Weatherall & Renee Targett
Other Players in the Squad: Cheynoah Amone, Macie Carlile, Sophie Clancy, Ella Koster, Sarah Riordan, Cortez Te Pou, Margot Vella
Player to Watch: Raecene McGregor
The reigning NRLW Dally M Medallist will enter the competition under the most pressure as all eyes will be on her to see if she can lead the Dragons into the finals with a new and inexperienced squad.
The New Zealand international will be at the centre of every Dragons play and is a mastermind in creating glorious opportunities for her teammates around her.
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Continuously seen as the competition favourites, the Sydney Roosters will showcase an entirely different team this season due to mass departures through injury, transfers and retirement.
Despite losing crucial players in Raecene McGregor and Sam Bremner, they have picked Jillaroos duo Millie Boyle and Tarryn Aiken. This has allowed them to remain favourites heading into the new NRLW season.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Corban Baxter
Wingers: Jayme Fressard & Brydie Parker
Centres: Jessica Sergis & Isabelle Kelly (c)
Halves: Tarryn Aiken & Jocelyn Kelleher
Props: Millie Boyle & Mya-Hill Moana
Hooker: Keeley Davis
Second-Rowers: Amber Hall & Olivia Kernick
Lock: Keilee Joseph
Interchange: Sahden Burton, Otesa Pule, Kalosipani Hopoate & Joeli Morris
Other Players in Squad: Tyler Bentley, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Alexandrea Kiriwi, Tavarna Papalii, Amelia Pasikala, Lily Rogan, Shannon Rose
Player to Watch: Tarryn Aiken
Coming off a successful Rugby League World Cup campaign with the Jillaroos, where she scored five tries and supplied eight try assists in four games, Aiken joins the Roosters from the Brisbane Broncos.
The departure of McGregor means that Aiken will have to stand up in her place. Despite how good the Roosters team may be, the most important aspect of any team is the two halves. If Aiken can deliver, the club should reach the Grand Final yet again.
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The Wests Tigers are ready to compete in their first NRLW competition and will be led by big names Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh. Their ceiling could see them make the finals, but their floor could also see them finish at the bottom of the ladder.
While they may be one of the newest teams in the competition, they are no strangers to winning. Eleven players in the squad were a part of the Tigers Harvey Norman NSW Premiership team in 2022.
Predicted Best 17
Fullback: Botille Vette-Welsh (c)
Wingers: Tess Staines & Leianne Tufuga
Centres: Jakiya Whitfield & Rikeya Horne
Halves: Losana Lutu & Emily Curtain
Props: Sarah Togatuki & Folau Vaki
Hooker: Sophie Curtain
Second-Rowers: Kezie Apps (c) & Christian Pio
Lock: Najvada George
Interchange: Rebecca Pollard, Imogen Gobran, Taylor Osborne, Eliza Siilata
Other Players in Squad: Salma Nour, Ebony Prior, Hope Tevaga, Jessica Kennedy, Bianca Bennetts, Josie Lenaz, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Player to Watch: Rikeya Horne
One of the many new signings from rival NRLW clubs, Rikeya Horne, brings a wealth of experience and skill in the backline to the team playing since the inaugural NRLW season.
While skipper Kezie Apps and Sarah Togatuki will control the middle of the field, Horne's pace is set to bring another dimension to the team and will be key on the outside of the ruck.
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