2024 NRLW Signings Tracker: The Sharks elevate a talented youngster and re-sign two forwards.
With second-rowers Chloe Saunders and Rhiannon Byers recommitting to the team on fresh two-year contracts, the Sharks have continued their re-signing binge.
It follows Cronulla’s previous announcement that they had also signed Annessa Biddle and Brooke Anderson, two international players from New Zealand, to contract extensions that would last at least through the conclusion of the 2025 NRLW season.
Byers’ only game of the season was the club’s NRLW debut due to a fractured wrist sustained in Round 1, whereas Saunders played in all nine Sharks games in 2023, averaging 77 run yards and scored two tries.
Coach Tony Herman remarked, “We’re thrilled to have Rhiannon commit to the club into the future.”
“When she got hurt, she left a big hole in the team, and I didn’t realize how much we’d miss her.”
“Chloe switched from rugby sevens to rugby league in 2023, and she puts a ton of effort into improving her skills.
She keeps getting better and recognizes the value in the one percenters. 2024 is going to be really big for her.
The Sharks also announced that Manilita Takapautolo, a fellow back-rower, has been elevated from a development agreement into the starting lineup. Her new contract is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Teenage enforcer Rilee Jorgensen will stay on the Gold Coast until at least the end of 2026 thanks to the Titans’ three-year re-signing of her.
Jorgensen, a U-19 Queensland representative, earned eight appearances in 2023 following a standout performance in her Round 2 debut against Brisbane.
Karyn Murphy, the coach of the Titans, expressed her satisfaction with Jorgensen’s long-term commitment to the team.
Murphy stated on the club website, “Having the chance to watch Rilee play firsthand throughout her junior years, it’s been a pleasure to personally watch her career develop.”
“She has consistently seized every chance, from being awarded a contract after making an impression in the Titans Academy to supporting Burleigh in winning the BMD Premiership and capping off an outstanding first season with a grand final appearance.
After Jessika Elliston and Shannon Mato both recommitted until the end of 2027, Jorgensen is the third forward for the Titans to stay on the Gold Coast until at least 2026.
For the forthcoming season, the Titans have also promoted developing players Matekino Gray, Lily Kolc, and Malaela Sua to the top 24 roster.
Sheridan Gallagher, a winger who helped the Knights win a championship, has signed a new contract with them for two more years, guaranteeing her stay with the team through at least the end of 2025.
After making a smooth transition from professional soccer, Gallagher had a great debut season in the NRLW, recording seven tries in 11 games.
Harata Butler, a forward from the Māori All Stars, has signed with the Cowboys for the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership seasons 2024 and 2025.
In her first NRLW season last year, Butler made eight appearances for the Sharks, averaging 63 meters in the front row.
After wing Jakiya Whitfeld was acquired from the Wests Tigers, the 31-year-old is the second new player the Cowboys have confirmed for the 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, Emma Tonegato, a playmaker, has signed a two-year deal with the Sharks, securing her for the next three NRLW seasons at the very least.
The former Dally M Medal winner, who signed a two-year contract last season and became the club’s first marquee acquisition, is already contracted through the end of 2024. He is the first player to agree to terms with the Sharks that extend into 2025.
Rugby league player Tonegato, who has played for both NSW and Australia, called staying with the team “an honour”.
“We’ve always had such short-term contracts as female athletes. I’ve never locked in my future for a few years in advance, so I know where I’ll be,” Tonegato remarked.
“Being off the field gives me the ability to plan ahead, determine my living situation and expected income. I’ve never been in anything like this before.
Coach Brett Kimmorley of the Wests Tigers has strengthened their forward lineup by bringing in Amelia Huakau (Née Mafi) for a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old, who has received two Tonga caps, comes from the Eels, where she played in nine games the previous year.
It comes after the team added Claudia Nielsen, Natasha Penitani, and Harmony Crichton to its 2024 roster and re-signed Rikeya Horne, Losana Lutu, Salma Nour, Eliza Siilata, Jessica Kennedy, and Imogen Gobran.
The majority of Kimmorley’s original team, which includes 2023 Player of the Year Sarah Togatuki and co-captains Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh, is already locked in for the next campaign.
Two more players have committed to the Roosters for the 2018 NRLW season: Brydie Parker and Mia Wood have both signed extension deals.
24 year old Winger Parker has been a key player for the Roosters from the beginning of the league in 2018 and has committed to the team for an additional two years, through the end of 2025.
In the meanwhile, Wood, who made five appearances in her rookie season last year and won the team’s NRLW Rookie of the Year, has signed a one-year contract through 2024.
It comes after Corban Baxter, the vice captain of the Roosters, inked a three-year contract extension that would keep her with the team through the conclusion of the 2026 NRLW season. The team had already reached an agreement to extend Jayme Fressard’s contract to the end of 2025. Tyra Ekepati, a young player, was also added to the team, with a contract that will see her play on a development contract in 2024 before progressing to the first team the following year.
Tiana Davison and Jasmin Strange, who won the Knights premiership, have also joined the Tricolours, while three of its young players have been extended.
Official Lists of Squads
The NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership 2024 rosters have been updated and can be seen below. The whole list includes contract durations along with player, club, and mutual options.
Player option (PO): The player can choose to activate one or more extra years.
Club option (CO): Club may elect to activate one or more extra years.
Mutual option (MO): The option to activate an extra year or years is discussed by both parties.
