2023 NRLW Recruitment & Retention Thread

Need some more decent backline signings. Strange solid, Parker is great, Upton is goddess like.

so need another centre and two winger/ depth in that area. Unless I have missed someone.
 
Abigail Roache
Knights write up lists her as a centre/five-eighth/fullback, her rugby side from earlier this year lists her as an outside back. Played 3 games for the Kiwis Ferns at the World Cup all at #6. Won the player of the year for the Auckland women's comp in 2022. Sister of former Warrior Nathaniel Roache and had similar luck with injuries by the sound of things.

“Abigail is an astute defensive backline player who on the back of strong year in the Auckland competition gained selection in the New Zealand world cup squad,” Knights NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths says.

“She has a great attitude and desire to continue to develop into a world class player, and her ability to play multiple positions well will make her a valuable commodity and one we will harness.

Laishon Albert-Jones
Ball-playing lock/five-eighth. 2 games for the Kiwi Ferns including one at the World Cup. Was named five-eighth of the year in the Auckland comp where she also won the same award as Roache in 2021.

“Laishon turned a strong World Cup campaign and a desire for continued growth into a Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership campaign with Mounties this season and finished with a Premiership to her name.

“She is a shrewd ball playing lock who is equally proficient in the halves, and her skill set and deft touch with the boot will hold her in good stead for a great season.”

Rima Butler
Prop from the Eels. Debuted in 2022 and played 5 games off the bench, including the grand final vs Knights. Don't think she'll be a big minute player but she doesn't leave anything in the tank based on the few games I've seen of her.

“Rima’s undoubted talent saw her selected in the NSW City Origin team last week on the back of a strong Harvey Norman season,” Griffiths said.

“The opportunity for her to play alongside our established forwards was extremely enticing, and she is an astute signing on the back of strong Grand Final appearance against the Newcastle Knights last season.

Tamerah Leati
Centre who was a development player for the Eels. Can't find much else on her.

“Tamerah is a strong ball running centre who is used to putting herself outside her comfort zone.

“She has shown great commitment to developing her rugby league career moving from Queensland to NSW for an opportunity to progress and she has earned this shot.”

Jayde Herdegen
Starting halfback for the u19 Maroons last year and currently with Wynnum-Manly. One of 3 siblings from Brisbane all with raps on them as halves, and we've signed her younger brother as well for next year.

“Jayde is a talented player with great vision,” Griffiths said.

“She has shown great progress at such a young age and will start at five eighth with Wynnum-Manly in the BMD Premiership Grand Final this weekend. She has also been selected again in the Queensland Sapphires to play in the National Championships.

Felila Kia
Played centre for u/19 Maroons last year and also from Wynnum-Manly. Started last season as a Titans development player before being upgraded into the top 24 but didn't debut.

“Felila is a multi-talented athlete who can play multiple positions and has the ability to influence games with her strong defence and destructive ball running.

“She is a hard-working humble person who will flourish in an elite environment.”
 
www.newcastleherald.com.au

Caitlan Johnston keen to build on 'whirlwind' year

'It was all my goals in one year kind of ticked off, and all at the age of...
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au

Article about Caitlan Johnson. Says she will miss both SOO games with her knee injury, but is focused on getting fit for the start of NRLW.

The article also goes through our latest recruits and says Laishon Albert-Jones is a niece of Stacey Jones.
 
Felila Kia could make a name for herself pretty quickly if she still hits this hard, played under 19's Origin last year so must have been 15 or 16 at the time. Some good athleticism and skill shown on a few plays as well. Second video is from last year and not as spectacular but still solid. Runs hard, tackles hard and loves an offload.

 
I notice young centre Tylah Vallance got player of the year for our NSW cup side and hasn't been signed yet.
 
I'd be disappointed if she's not at least on a development contract. Played everywhere in the backline from 1-6 but think she'd do great starting on the wing, and give us another goal kicking option. Not sure why we'd be holding off announcing it though.

We're at 20/24 confirmed with 2 more expected (Roche, Carter) & 1 more rumoured (Maynard). Understand a couple went elsewhere for a quicker path to first grade but surprising that Kirkpatrick is the only new face promoted from within.
 
Jacinta Carter dominating for QLD Ruby’s at the national championships. Carried about 5 over the line to score with her first touch and then did it again a few minutes later but was held up. Went off soon after though, not sure if injured or just rotating players with a few more games to be played over 4 days.

Still no announcement on her but based on social media she’s definitely staying and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s a starter.

8. Predebon
9. Higgins
10. Carter / Romaniuk
11. Johnston
12. Clydsdale
13. Southwell

14. Maynard / utility
15. Romaniuk / Carter
16. Butler
17. Karpani
 
www.newcastleknights.com.au

Two More Signings for Knights in NRLW

The nib Newcastle Knights are two steps closer to finalising their playing list for the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership with NRLW legend Nita Maynard and former Young Matildas captain Sheridan Gallagher signing on for 2023.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

Two more signings - Maynard and a young girl named Gallagher who has played multiple sports at a high level.
Griffiths says we have 1 more top squad spot and 4 development squad spots to announce.
 
Gallagher played for the Western Sydney Wanderers and captained Australia at the u/20 women's World Cup last year. The release says she's coming off a season with the Mounties in HNWP but from what I can see she only played 2 games, both at fullback.

Says that leaves us with 1 more top squad spot (+ 4 development spots) but we've only announced 22 so should still be 2 left. Not sure what the go is with Roche, maybe waiting until she comes over or maybe she got cold feet about the move? Seems strange that we've signed so many halves already.
 
1. Tamika Upton
2. Jasmin Strange
3. Shanice Parker
4. Tamsin Barber
5. Sheridan Gallagher
6. Caitlin Moran/Georgia Roach
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Predebon
9. Higgins
10. Romaniuk
11. Johnston
12. Clydsdale
13. Southwell

14. Maynard
15. Jules Kirkpatrick,
16. Butler
17. Karpani
Abigail Roache
Laishon Albert-Jones,
Tamerah Leati,
Felila Kia,
Jayde Herdegen
 
I know NRL.com has had her in our re-signed list but unless I've missed something Tamsin Barber never re-signed and I'd be shocked if she does. Her and Nicole Nathan were the only 2 in the squad to not get close to a debut, to the point where Jessica Gentle leapfrogged both from outside the squad when we needed an outside back.
 
Squads need to be finalised today. Certain we've only announced 22 so far but I guess we'll know for sure by the end of the day either way.

Eels announced they've signed Kyra Simon. Started last season in our top 17 but fell out of favour pretty quick and never got back in. Think she has all the physical attributes to be a good prop but so many silly errors and defensive lapses in her game.
 
We've signed Viena Tinau to the (maybe?) last spot. She came off the bench for Country a few weeks ago and had a real impact.

Also added Tylah Vallance, Jacinta Carter, Tazmyne Luschwitz & Evie Jones as development players.

Still nothing on Georgia Roche.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Tinao adds steel while development deals confirmed for NRLW

Up and coming NSW Country prop forward Viena Tinao has signed on with the nib Newcastle Knights Telstra Women’s Premiership team ahead of the start of pre-season training next week.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
 
www.newcastleknights.com.au

Griffiths on NRLW squad and pre-season start

nib Newcastle Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths spoke to the media as the NRLW side begins pre-season training.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

Griffiths says again that we have a full roster of 28, but only 27 are listed still.
All I can think is that they are waiting till Georgia Roche arrives because they want to make a big announcement of signing the current England halfback to get a bit of publicity. Griffiths says we will play a trial match v Brisbane at Maitland as an undercard game to a reserve grade game.
 
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