By Billie Eder
The seventh NRLW season gets under way on Thursday night with reigning premiers the Knights hosting the Roosters in Newcastle.
We’ve had internationals and Origins since the Knights lifted the trophy last October, but with a new year comes fresh faces, and new challenges.
So, here’s your guide to the 2024 season before things kick off at 7.45pm.
Who is the team to beat?
Tarryn Aiken of the Roosters and Newcastle’s Nita Maynard ahead of their NRLW season opener on Thursday night.Credit: James Brickwood
Back-to-back premiers Newcastle retained most of their squad – something that was possible with the introduction of multi-year contracts in 2023 – which means they’ve been able to pick up where they left off.
Nita Maynard, who was part of the Knights’ 2023 premiership team, said pre-season had been smooth sailing, despite the departure of coach Ronnie Griffiths. Griffiths has been replaced by Ben Jeffries, who coached the Cowboys in 2023 and has previously overseen the PNG women’s national team.
“We’ve been really great in terms of coming back together, having minimal changes in our squad, so I think that really drives us, but we’re under no illusion that we are the hunted,” Maynard said.
“I think being back-to-back premiers, that’s a milestone in itself ... we take that with pride, and we take that on board, and we like to think of ourselves as the hunted and being better than we were last year.”
With players such as Millie Elliott, Caitlan Johnston, Yasmin Clydsdale and Hannah Southwell having played for the Roosters and Knights, there’s rivalry between these two teams.
Maynard said Thursday would be a “real physical game”.
“We want to show what Newcastle’s about; it’s a small town, it’s not known for much, but I think it’s a really hard-working town and I think that comes across in the type of footy that we play,” Maynard said.
“I think it will be a hard place to lose for us, to be fair. I think they give us that extra boost of confidence when we do get to play in front of such an amazing, vocal crowd like the Newcastle fans.”
The Roosters and the Titans are the other favourites heading into the 2024 season. Both teams are stacked with talent and retain most of the players that took them to the finals last season.
Players to watch
Sam Bremner at the 2022 World Cup.Credit: Getty
Sam Bremner
NRLW veteran Sam Bremner has come out of retirement to play fullback for the Roosters.
The 33-year-old former Jillaroo was brought in to cover for Corban Baxter, who ruptured her ACL in the club’s pre-season game against the Sharks.
Bremner is a former NSW and Australia representative, and she’s already put her teammates on notice: she won the Roosters award for the fittest player in the pre-season after only returning to the team a week ago.
Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly is named at fullback this week, but don’t be surprised to see Bremner back in the No.1 during the season.
Tamika Upton
Knights fullback Tamika Upton is the best player in the game. If the Knights do make it three straight titles, she will have a lot to do with it.
Upton was most recently part of the Queensland State of Origin team that won the first three-game series, and she was the 2023 Dally M Medal winner. She’s won four NRLW premierships: two with the Knights as well as two with the Broncos in 2019 and 2020.
Teagan Berry
Dragons fullback Teagan Berry had a breakout year in 2023 and was part of NSW’s extended training squad ahead of the Origin series.
The pacy Berry was the NRLW’s leading try-scorer last year.
Rookies on the rise
Natasha Penitani playing for the Sharks in the NSW state competition two years ago. Credit: NRL Images
Harmony Crichton
Harmony Crichton is the younger sister of Bulldogs captain Stephen, and will play her first year of NRLW with the Tigers. Following in the footsteps of her big brother, Harmony also plays in the centres, and Stephen said the two trained together during the off-season.
Natasha Penitani
Another family affair. Tash Penitani is the sister of Sharks captain Tiana, and is set to make her NRLW debut for the Tigers against the Raiders this weekend.
Tigers captain Kezie Apps said Penitani had worked hard during the pre-season and was rewarded with a starting spot.
“She’s just a special human; she’s just somebody who works really, really hard, and I feel like she’s worked hard for this moment,” Apps said.
“I’m just excited for her to be able to showcase her skills and her ability. She’s very strong and fit [and] mobile.”
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