NRLW Recruitment & Retention Thread

[Newygirl]

Does anyone know who’s in charge of recruitment for the women’s side?

Not sure but I assume it’s mostly Ben Jeffries now?

But the CJ stuff would’ve happened in that transition period at end of 23, I’m guessing it was probably Parr negotiating. He was the one who bought in Jeffries I believe?

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Jeffries runs pretty much the whole program top to bottom now I believe. POS no involvement with women's recruitment.

 

[Billy]

Bec Young seems to be someone who has relationships with all the local players and gets them to the Knights in the lower grades anyway.

 

[Billy]

Just saw they have added a Profile for Emily McArthur to the firstgrade list.

I assumed she had turned 18 when she was promoted to the HVN side after Tarsha Gale, but her profile says she was born 7/1/2008, so doesn't turn 18 for another 3 months.
She was starting prop in our HVN GF team and one of the better players. She isn't even very big - average to small for a prop.
Stella Lewis is also turning 18 in a few months - so we will have 2 18 year old middle forwards going into next season.
Caitlan Johnson was 18 when she made firstgrade. These two look a lot fitter than her, but not as big.

Emily McArthur

The Telstra Women's Premiership profile of Emily McArthur including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[mullenmagic]

Tinao confirmed on social media that’s she’s finished up with the Knights. Doesn’t sound like she has anything lined up but hopefully if she gets another chance somewhere she takes it a bit more seriously.

 

[Billy]

There is a big season review by Renee Valentine in the Herald today.
She points out we made finals in all 4 grades from under 17s to firsts and quotes Jefferies about how well all our debut players went.
It's a double page article that covers a lot.
She concludes there will be some very hard decisions to make because we can't keep all those who have had a good season. The 3 she singles out are Grace Giampino, Tess Staines and Keighley Simpson - implying we may not keep them all. She says Mercedez and Fane will be promoted to top 24.

 

[Newygirl]

Given our lack of middles, I’d hope they hold onto Giampino at least

 

[HarVeeGee13]

I think Giampino already has a top 24 contract next year?

 

[mullenmagic]

All 3 of those names do

 

[HarVeeGee13]

They should probably thinking about giving the girl from Ipswich a top 24 deal next year if there’s no replacement signing for Jesse in mind.

 

[knights80]

Bo -2027
Evah McEwen-2027
Evie Jones-2027
Fame Finau- 2027
Georgia Roche- 2027
Joel I Morris- 2026
Jules Kirkpatrick- 2027
Mariah Brown 2027
Mercedes Taulelei-Siala - 2026
Kayla Rumanuk- 2026
Olivia Higgins - 2026
Shanice Parker - 2028
Sienna Yeo-2026
Simone Karpani- 2027
Tayla Predeborn- 2026
Tenika Willison- 2027
Tiana Davison- 2027
Yasmin -2027

Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa 2028
Emily Macarthur -2028
Lucy Spain -2026
Rubie Drake-Brockman- 2028

Currently signed as reported on NRL

Need to re sign Sheridan, Lreah Ollerton and Leilani Asham and one of Lily or Tess Staines and probably hunt 2 other good big, athletic forwards .

Wouldn’t be against Bo finding an out if somebody came knocking her way to open up that spot on roster as injuries look like they have caught way up to her at this stage

Still decent squad capable of making it to top 4 but still needs some fine tuning and specialist recruitment

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Tamika is a horrible disloyal traitor for leaving partway through a contract. Also, we should try to punt Bo partway into hers.

 

[Defence wins games]

Bo -2027
Evah McEwen-2027
Evie Jones-2027
Fame Finau- 2027
Georgia Roche- 2027
Joel I Morris- 2026
Jules Kirkpatrick- 2027
Mariah Brown 2027
Mercedes Taulelei-Siala - 2026
Kayla Rumanuk- 2026
Olivia Higgins - 2026
Shanice Parker - 2028
Sienna Yeo-2026
Simone Karpani- 2027
Tayla Predeborn- 2026
Tenika Willison- 2027
Tiana Davison- 2027
Yasmin -2027

Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa 2028
Emily Macarthur -2028
Lucy Spain -2026
Rubie Drake-Brockman- 2028

Currently signed as reported on NRL

Need to re sign Sheridan, Lreah Ollerton and Leilani Asham and one of Lily or Tess Staines and probably hunt 2 other good big, athletic forwards .

Wouldn’t be against Bo finding an out if somebody came knocking her way to open up that spot on roster as injuries look like they have caught way up to her at this stage

Still decent squad capable of making it to top 4 but still needs some fine tuning and specialist recruitment

But essentially the years on the right hand side of the names is meaningless, as our history clearly shows.

 

[Billy]

The season review from yesterday in the Herald has finally been put online.

Knights' season in review: No GF but rising talent unearthed, pathways strong

They didn't make the grand final, but the season was largely a success.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Jefferies quote from the article:

"When development players get elevated, top 24 players have to go out, so we've got some really tough decisions around the likes of Grace Giampino, Tess Staines, Keighley Simpson.
"Unfortunately, the club can't keep them all, but as people and players, we could not fault them."

 

[mullenmagic]

Definitely announced all 3 as being signed for next year but it's possible they have options

 

[Newygirl]

I think this highlights the need for larger squads, so that clubs can keep developing the talent.

It’s a bit ridiculous fringe players like this having to switch clubs every year due to lack of spots when the money is so terrible. I’m sure plenty of players like this would benefit from some stability

 

[mullenmagic]

Tinao confirmed on social media that’s she’s finished up with the Knights. Doesn’t sound like she has anything lined up but hopefully if she gets another chance somewhere she takes it a bit more seriously.

Unsurprisignly Kukutai has said the same, she won’t be back. Unlike Tinao it's not from a lack of effort. She’s fit and big/athletic enough to be at least decent, and if you catch her on the right day in reserve grade she can look good but there’s just something missing. Believe she was a late convertor to rugby from netball and it shows, she struggles with the physicality/contact I think. Not a great trait for a forward.

 

[Billy]

I assumed Mariah Brown was injured, but she played against the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout today.
She played Tarsha Gale this year and I think 1 game of HVN and we haven't seen her since.
She is supposed to have a 3 year contract till the end of 2027.

 

[BTP]

I assumed Mariah Brown was injured, but she played against the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout today.
She played Tarsha Gale this year and I think 1 game of HVN and we haven't seen her since.
She is supposed to have a 3 year contract till the end of 2027.

She had a really bad hip drop tackle done to her in round 2 of HN Cup, hadn't played since. Looks like she was only just out of the boot recently.

 

[Breen3]

The young half in the U/17s for the Yowies looks to have some potential. Should be one they keep an eye on