2024 NRL Women's season
| NRL Telstra Women's Premiership | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 11 weeks (9 rounds; SF, GF)
25 July - 6 October |
| Teams | 10 |
| Broadcast partners | Nine Network Fox League Sky Sport (NZ) Sky Sports (UK) |
The 2024 NRLW Premiership will be the seventh professional season of Women's rugby league in Australia. The number of teams (ten), start date (25 July 2024) and duration of the season (eleven weeks) was confirmed by the NRL, with the release of the draw on 13 November 2023.[1] Possible expansion in the number of teams for 2024 had been discussed by the Australian Rugby League Commission during October 2023.[2][3]
Teams[edit]
The ten teams that participated in the 2023 season will return for the 2024 season.
| Colours | Club | Season | Head coach | Captain(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Brisbane Broncos | 7th season | Scott Prince | Ali Brigginshaw |
 |
Canberra Raiders | 2nd season | Darrin Borthwick | Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara |
 |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 2nd season | Tony Herman | Tiana Penitani |
 |
Gold Coast Titans | 4th season | Karyn Murphy | Georgia Hale |
 |
Newcastle Knights | 4th season | Ben Jeffries[4] | Hannah Southwell and Tamika Upton |
 |
North Queensland Cowboys | 2nd season | Ricky Henry | Kirra Dibb and Tallisha Harden |
 |
Parramatta Eels | 4th season | Steve Georgallis[5][6] | Kennedy Cherrington and Rachael Pearson |
 |
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 7th season | Jamie Soward[7] | Raecene McGregor |
 |
Sydney Roosters | 7th season | John Strange[8] | Isabelle Kelly |
 |
Wests Tigers | 2nd season | Brett Kimmorley | Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh |
Notes:
- In late August 2023 the NRL asked the seven other clubs for expressions of interest in joining an expanded NRLW competition.[9] Although expansion in the 2024 season is unlikely, it has not been ruled out by the NRL.[2]
- The release of the 2024 NRLW draw on 13 November 2023 confirmed that the number of teams would remain at ten for 2024.[1]
- In late September 2023, the Parramatta Eels inaugural coach, Dean Widders announced his resignation.[10]
- On 2 November 2023, the Newcastle Knights announced that Ronald Griffiths, their NRLW coach for the 2022 and 2023 premiership-winning seasons, had been appointed to coach their NSW Cup team in 2024.[11]
- On 22 November 2023, the Parramatta Eels announced the appointment of Steve Georgallis in a dual role as their NRLW coach and Coaching Director of the Club’s Elite Pathways program.[5]
- On 10 January 2024, the Newcastle Knights announced the appointment of Ben Jeffries as their NRLW head coach for the 2024 season, the first year of a three-year contract. Jeffries had coached the North Queensland Cowboys in the 2023 NRLW season.[4]
- On 19 February 2024, the North Queensland Cowboys announced the appointment of Ricky Henry as their NRLW head coach for the 2024 season, the first of a three-year contract.
Scheduling[edit]
Ten teams will play each other once across nine rounds, followed by a two-week final series involving the top four teams. First place on the ladder plays fourth-place and second-place plays third-place in semi-finals, with the winners meeting in the Grand Final.[12]
The start, duration, and conclusion of the 2024 season was influenced by several factors.
- A three-match Women's State of Origin series on 16 May, 6 June, and 27 June. All three matches are on a Thursday night.
- A seven-week preparation period.[12]
- Two weeks of leave.
- An All Stars match on 16 February 2024.
- The State Competitions.
- New South Wales — 11 rounds and a Finals Series; and
- Queensland — 9 rounds and a Finals Series;
- Several articles have reported of a proposal to move the State Competitions from being run early in the season, prior to the NRLW season, to instead be run in at the same time as the NRLW season.
- The purpose of aligning the competitions to run in parallel would be:
- To cater for players who don't initially make the NRLW playing 18 at their club, by providing them with a high-standard secondary competition; and
- Ensuring players brought into the NRLW squads to cover injuries are match-fit.[2]
- An AAP article on 10 November 2023 reported that the New South Wales state competition would likely move, but the Queensland Women's Premiership would not.[3]
Regular season[edit]
The first announcement of the 2024 NRLW season's fixtures was released by the NRL on 13 November 2023.[1]
Round 1[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Newcastle Knights |
Sydney Roosters |
Thursday 25 July 7:45 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | |||||
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Saturday 27 July 11:05 AM |
PointsBet Stadium | |||||
| Brisbane Broncos |
Parramatta Eels |
Saturday 27 July 12:45 PM |
Sunshine Coast Stadium | |||||
| St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Gold Coast Titans |
Sunday 28 July 12:00 PM |
WIN Stadium | |||||
| Wests Tigers |
Canberra Raiders |
Sunday 28 July 1:45 PM |
Campbelltown Sports Ground | |||||
Round 2[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Canberra Raiders |
Newcastle Knights |
Saturday 3 August 11:05 AM |
GIO Stadium | |||||
| Gold Coast Titans |
Wests Tigers |
Saturday 3 August 12:45 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | |||||
| Parramatta Eels |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Sunday 4 August 12:00 PM |
Allianz Stadium | |||||
| Sydney Roosters |
Brisbane Broncos |
Sunday 4 August 1:45 PM |
Allianz Stadium | |||||
| North Queensland Cowboys |
St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Sunday 4 August 6:10 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | |||||
Round 3[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Sydney Roosters |
Wests Tigers |
Saturday 10 August 11:05 AM |
Industree Group Stadium | |||||
| Canberra Raiders |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Saturday 10 August 12:45 PM |
GIO Stadium | |||||
| North Queensland Cowboys |
Parramatta Eels |
Sunday 11 August 12:00 PM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | |||||
| Brisbane Broncos |
Gold Coast Titans |
Sunday 11 August 1:45 PM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | |||||
| Newcastle Knights |
St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Sunday 11 August 6:10 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | |||||
Round 4[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos |
Canberra Raiders |
Saturday 17 August 11:05 AM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | |||||
| North Queensland Cowboys |
Gold Coast Titans |
Saturday 17 August 12:45 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | |||||
| St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Sydney Roosters |
Sunday 18 August 12:00 PM |
WIN Stadium | |||||
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Newcastle Knights |
Sunday 18 August 1:45 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | |||||
| Wests Tigers |
Parramatta Eels |
Sunday 18 August 6:10 PM |
Campbelltown Sports Ground | |||||
Round 5[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Parramatta Eels |
Newcastle Knights |
Saturday 24 August 11:05 AM |
Eric Tweedale Stadium | |||||
| Canberra Raiders |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Saturday 24 August 12:45 PM |
GIO Stadium | |||||
| Gold Coast Titans |
Sydney Roosters |
Sunday 25 August 12:00 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | |||||
| Wests Tigers |
Brisbane Broncos |
Sunday 25 August 1:45 PM |
Leichhardt Oval | |||||
| St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Sunday 25 August 6:10 PM |
WIN Stadium | |||||
Round 6[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Gold Coast Titans |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Saturday 31 August 11:05 AM |
Cbus Super Stadium | |||||
| Parramatta Eels |
St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Saturday 31 August 12:45 PM |
CommBank Stadium | |||||
| Newcastle Knights |
Wests Tigers |
Sunday 1 September 12:00 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | |||||
| Brisbane Broncos |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Sunday 1 September 1:45 PM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | |||||
| Sydney Roosters |
Canberra Raiders |
Sunday 1 September 6:10 PM |
Allianz Stadium | |||||
Round 7[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| North Queensland Cowboys |
Wests Tigers |
Saturday 7 September 11:05 AM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | |||||
| St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Canberra Raiders |
Saturday 7 September 12:45 PM |
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | |||||
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Sydney Roosters |
Sunday 8 September 12:00 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | |||||
| Parramatta Eels |
Gold Coast Titans |
Sunday 8 September 1:45 PM |
Eric Tweedale Stadium | |||||
| Newcastle Knights |
Brisbane Broncos |
Sunday 8 September 6:10 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | |||||
Round 8[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Wests Tigers |
St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Thursday 12 September 7:45 PM |
Leichhardt Oval | |||||
| Brisbane Broncos |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Saturday 14 September 12:00 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | |||||
| Gold Coast Titans |
Newcastle Knights |
Saturday 14 September 1:45 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | |||||
| Sydney Roosters |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Sunday 15 September 12:00 PM |
Industree Group Stadium | |||||
| Canberra Raiders |
Parramatta Eels |
Sunday 15 September 1:45 PM |
GIO Stadium | |||||
Round 9[edit]
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Wests Tigers |
Thursday 19 September 7:45 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | |||||
| St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Brisbane Broncos |
Saturday 21 September 1:30 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | |||||
| North Queensland Cowboys |
Newcastle Knights |
Saturday 21 September 3:15 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | |||||
| Canberra Raiders |
Gold Coast Titans |
Sunday 22 September 1:30 PM |
CommBank Stadium | |||||
| Parramatta Eels |
Sydney Roosters |
Sunday 22 September 3:15 PM |
CommBank Stadium | |||||
Players and transfers[edit]
The 2024 season salary cap for clubs is $1,020,000 and the minimum wage for contracted players is $34,000. Squad size is 24 players plus 4 development players.[12] The first transfer signing was announced on 20 October 2023. Clubs are required to fill their 24-player roster by late May 2024.
Table last updated: 18 Apr 2024.
| Player | 2023 Club | 2024 Club | Announcement Date |
Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jakiya Whitfeld | Wests Tigers |
North Queensland Cowboys |
20 Oct 2023 | [13] |
| Keilee Joseph | Sydney Roosters |
Brisbane Broncos |
1 Dec 2023 | [14] |
| Tiana Davison | Newcastle Knights |
Sydney Roosters |
15 Dec 2023 | [15] |
| Jasmin Strange | Newcastle Knights |
Sydney Roosters |
15 Dec 2023 | [15] |
| Claudia Nielsen | No Club | Wests Tigers |
20 Dec 2023 | [16] |
| Harmony Crichton | No Club | Wests Tigers |
20 Dec 2023 | [16] |
| Natasha Penitani | No Club | Wests Tigers |
20 Dec 2023 | [16] |
| Amelia Huakau | Parramatta Eels |
Wests Tigers |
16 Jan 2024 | [17] |
| Harata Butler | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
North Queensland Cowboys |
18 Jan 2024 | [18] |
| Pia Tapsell | Western Force (Rugby Union) | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
6 Feb 2024 | [19] |
| Stacey Fluhler | NZ Rugby Sevens | Brisbane Broncos |
6 Mar 2024 | [20] |
| Liz Tafuna | USA Rugby Sevens | Sydney Roosters |
3 Apr 2024 | [21] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "2024 NRL Telstra Premiership schedule released". NRL. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Whaley, Pamela (20 September 2023). "Timing is everything as NRLW plans future". Daily Telegraph. p. 61.
- ^ a b Bailey, Scott (10 November 2023). "Three women's Origins for 2024, NRLW stays at 10 teams". aapnews. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Knights announce new NRLW Head Coach". Newcastle Knights. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Steve Georgallis joins Eels as NRLW coach". Parra Eels. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Bruce, Jasper (22 November 2023). "Steve Georgallis takes over NRLW reins at Parramatta". aapnews. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (14 August 2023). "Jamie Soward agrees to historic two-year contract". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "NRLW Head Coach John Strange Extends with Roosters". Roosters.com.au. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ Eder, Billie (15 September 2023). "Roosters coach fears standard will suffer with fast-tracked NRLW expansion". NRL. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "Dean Widders steps down". NRL. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Griffiths Appointed Knights NSW Cup Coach". Newcastle Knights. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "In principle agreement on key financial terms for NRLW CBA". NRL. NRL Media. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Cowboys sign NRLW Winger of the Year Whitfeld". Cowboys.com.au. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "New NRLW Signing: Broncos Bring Joseph Back To Brisbane". Brisbane Broncos. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Tiana Davison and Jasmin Strange join Roosters NRLW squad". Roosters.com.au. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ a b c "A further three added to NRLW squad". Wests Tigers. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Former Eel joins Wests Tigers". Wests Tigers. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Cowboys sign Butler". Cowboys.com.au. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Black Fern Pia Tapsell joins the Sharks". Cronulla Sharks. Sharks Media. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Stacey Waaka Joins Broncos Family". Brisbane Broncos. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Roosters Sign USA Sevens Star Liz Tafuna". Roosters.com.au. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.