2023 NRL Women's season
NRL Telstra Women's Premiership | |
---|---|
Duration | 11 weeks (9 rounds; SF, GF)
22 July - 1 October |
Teams | 10 |
Minor premiers | Newcastle Knights (1st title) |
Matches played | 48 |
Broadcast partners | Nine Network Fox League Sky Sport (NZ) Sky Sports (UK) |
Champions | Newcastle Knights (2nd title) |
Dally M Award | Tamika Upton |
Top point-scorer(s) | Ali Brigginshaw (84) |
Top try-scorer(s) | Teagan Berry (11) |
The 2023 NRLW Premiership was the sixth professional season of Women's rugby league in Australia. As announced in March 2022 by the governing body, the National Rugby League, the number of teams increased from six to ten.
The duration of the season was confirmed by the NRL in a media release on 14 February 2023 as nine rounds followed by semi-finals and a Grand Final.
Contracted players were paid for a seven-week preparation period prior to the commencement of the competition, plus two weeks leave, for a total of 20 weeks. The contract period for players was, however, twelve months. The announcement also confirmed a rise in the salary cap from $350,000 in 2022 to $900,000 in 2023.
Teams
The Line-up of teams increased from six to ten. Two of the new clubs announced in October 2022 the appointment of their NRLW coach for the 2023 season.
Colours | Club | Season | Head coach | Captain(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brisbane Broncos | 6th season | Scott Prince | Ali Brigginshaw | |
Canberra Raiders | 1st season | Darrin Borthwick | Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara | |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 1st season | Tony Herman | Tiana Penitani | |
Gold Coast Titans | 3rd season | Karyn Murphy | Georgia Hale | |
Newcastle Knights | 3rd season | Ronald Griffiths | Hannah Southwell and Tamika Upton | |
North Queensland Cowboys | 1st season | Ben Jeffries | Kirra Dibb and Tallisha Harden | |
Parramatta Eels | 3rd season | Dean Widders | Kennedy Cherrington and Rachael Pearson | |
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 6th season | Jamie Soward | Raecene McGregor | |
Sydney Roosters | 6th season | John Strange | Isabelle Kelly | |
Wests Tigers | 1st season | Brett Kimmorley | Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh |
Scheduling
The season saw the ten teams play each other once across nine rounds, followed by a two-week final series that involved the top four teams. They played semi-finals with the winners meeting in the Grand Final.
Scheduling of the season allowed for:
- An All Stars match on 11 February 2023.
- State Competitions in which most NRLW players participated.
- New South Wales — 11 rounds and a Finals Series from 4 February 2023 to 29 April 2023; and
- Queensland — 7 rounds and a Finals Series from 11 March 2023 to early May 2023;
- A seven-week preparation period.
- Two weeks of leave.
- A two-match Women's State of Origin series on 1 June (Parramatta) and 22 June 2023 (Townsville).
Pre-season trial matches
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Gold Coast Titans | 30-6 | North Queensland Cowboys | Saturday 1 July | Pizzey Park | ||||
Parramatta Eels | 18-14 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Friday 7 July 7:00 PM |
Eric Tweedale Stadium, Granville | Billy Greatbatch | |||
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 22-0 | Wests Tigers | Saturday 8 July | PointsBet Stadium | Adam Sirriani | |||
Newcastle Knights | 4-18 | Brisbane Broncos | Saturday 8 July 3:00 PM |
Maitland No.1 Sportsground | Louis Matheson |
Ladder
2023 NRLW season | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
1 | Newcastle Knights | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 224 | 119 | +105 | 16 | |
2 | Sydney Roosters | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 284 | 120 | +164 | 14 | |
3 | Gold Coast Titans | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 164 | 126 | +38 | 14 | |
4 | Brisbane Broncos | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 256 | 165 | +91 | 12 | |
5 | Canberra Raiders | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 173 | 206 | -33 | 10 | |
6 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 202 | 150 | +52 | 8 | |
7 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 182 | 210 | -28 | 6 | |
8 | Wests Tigers | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 136 | 186 | -50 | 4 | |
9 | North Queensland Cowboys | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 133 | 266 | -133 | 4 | |
10 | Parramatta Eels | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 104 | 310 | -206 | 2 |
Ladder progression
- Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top four.
- Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
- Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Newcastle Knights | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
2 | Sydney Roosters | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
3 | Gold Coast Titans | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
4 | Brisbane Broncos | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
5 | Canberra Raiders | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
6 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
7 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
8 | Wests Tigers | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
9 | North Queensland Cowboys | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
10 | Parramatta Eels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Regular season
The first announcement of the 2023 NRLW season's fixtures was released by the NRL on 27 April 2023.
Round 1
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Gold Coast Titans | 16-6 | North Queensland Cowboys | Saturday 22 July 12:50 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 7,926 | NRL | |
Newcastle Knights | 32-16 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Saturday 22 July 3:10 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Darian Furner | 8,109 | NRL | |
Brisbane Broncos | 18-36 | Sydney Roosters | Saturday 22 July 7:45 PM |
Sunshine Coast Stadium | Wyatt Raymond | 2,832 | NRL | |
Parramatta Eels | 6-36 | Wests Tigers | Sunday 23 July 12:00 PM |
CommBank Stadium | Rochelle Tamarua | 2,095 | NRL | |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 28-14 | Canberra Raiders | Sunday 23 July 1:50 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | Kasey Badger | 10,634 | NRL |
Round 2
Home | Score | Away | Match information | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | |||
Brisbane Broncos | 16-17 (GP) |
Gold Coast Titans | Thursday 27 July 5:40 PM |
The Gabba | Belinda Sharpe | 7,279 | NRL |
Canberra Raiders | 24-14 | Sydney Roosters | Saturday 29 July 12:50 PM |
GIO Stadium | Cameron Paddy | 8,034 | NRL |
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 38-12 | Parramatta Eels | Saturday 29 July 3:00 PM |
WIN Stadium | Wyatt Raymond | 5,872 | NRL |
Newcastle Knights | 20-31 | North Queensland Cowboys | Sunday 30 July 12:00 PM |
Belmore Sports Ground | Kasey Badger | 1,584 | NRL |
Wests Tigers | 10-0 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Sunday 30 July 1:50 PM |
Rochelle Tamarua | 2,196 | NRL |
Round 3
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Sydney Roosters | 30-0 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Thursday 3 August 5:40 PM |
Sydney Cricket Ground | Wyatt Raymond | 4,201 | NRL | |
North Queensland Cowboys | 12-40 | Brisbane Broncos | Saturday 5 August 12:50 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Nick Pelgrave | NRL | ||
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 8-10 | Gold Coast Titans | Saturday 5 August 3:10 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | Darian Furner | 3,021 | NRL | |
Parramatta Eels | 4-38 | Newcastle Knights | Sunday 6 August 12:00 PM |
CommBank Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 23,596 | NRL | |
Canberra Raiders | 28-22 | Wests Tigers | Sunday 6 August 1:50 PM |
GIO Stadium | Damian Brady | 7,140 | NRL |
Round 4
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 18-19 (GP) |
Canberra Raiders | Saturday 12 August 11:05 AM |
WIN Stadium | Kasey Badger | NRL | ||
North Queensland Cowboys | 16-12 | Wests Tigers | Saturday 12 August 12:50 PM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski | 1,173 | NRL | |
Brisbane Broncos | 22-12 | Parramatta Eels | Saturday 12 August 3:10 PM |
Rochelle Tamarua | 1,811 | NRL | ||
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 12-36 | Sydney Roosters | Sunday 13 August 12:03 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 1,920 | NRL | |
Newcastle Knights | 22-10 | Gold Coast Titans | Sunday 13 August 1:50 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Liam Kennedy | 12,889 | NRL |
Round 5
Home | Score | Away | Match information | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | |||
North Queensland Cowboys | 12-40 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Saturday 19 August 11:05 AM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 1,878 | NRL |
Wests Tigers | 16-20 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Saturday 19 August 12:50 PM |
CommBank Stadium | Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski | 3,652 | NRL |
Gold Coast Titans | 8-30 | Sydney Roosters | Saturday 19 August 3:10 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | Rochelle Tamarua | 6,943 | NRL |
Newcastle Knights | 22-20 | Brisbane Broncos | Sunday 20 August 12:03 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Darian Furner | 17,043 | NRL |
Canberra Raiders | 28-22 | Parramatta Eels | Sunday 20 August 1:45 PM |
GIO Stadium | Kasey Badger | 7,185 | NRL |
Round 6
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Parramatta Eels | 16-12 | North Queensland Cowboys | Saturday 26 August 11:05 AM |
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | Cameron Paddy | 520 | NRL | |
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 22-23 | Gold Coast Titans | Saturday 26 August 1:15 PM |
Belinda Sharpe | 1,312 | NRL | ||
Sydney Roosters | 48-10 | Wests Tigers | Saturday 26 August 3:10 PM |
Allianz Stadium | Mitch Currie | 8,161 | NRL | |
Brisbane Broncos | 40-8 | Canberra Raiders | Sunday 27 August 12:03 PM |
Totally Workwear Stadium | Rochelle Tamarua | 1,692 | NRL | |
Newcastle Knights | 22-14 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Sunday 27 August 1:45 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Kasey Badger | 19,519 | NRL |
Round 7
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Canberra Raiders | 12-20 | Newcastle Knights | Saturday 2 September 11:05 AM |
GIO Stadium | Wyatt Raymond | 1,962 | NRL | |
Brisbane Broncos | 32-28 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Saturday 2 September 12:50 PM |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Nick Pelgrave | 1,478 | NRL | |
North Queensland Cowboys | 16-48 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Saturday 2 September 3:10 PM |
Liam Kennedy | 2,497 | NRL | ||
Gold Coast Titans | 16-4 | Wests Tigers | Sunday 3 September 12:03 PM |
Cbus Super Stadium | Rochelle Tamarua | 4,790 | NRL | |
Sydney Roosters | 46-12 | Parramatta Eels | Sunday 3 September 1:50 PM |
Industree Group Stadium | Darian Furner | 3,756 | NRL |
Round 8
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 16-8 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Thursday 7 September 7:45 PM |
PointsBet Stadium | Wyatt Raymond | 1,630 | NRL | |
Wests Tigers | 18-22 | Brisbane Broncos | Saturday 9 September 11:30 AM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Darian Furner | NRL | ||
Newcastle Knights | 20-4 | Sydney Roosters | Saturday 9 September 1:30 PM |
Kasey Badger | 3,643 | NRL | ||
North Queensland Cowboys | 12-34 | Canberra Raiders | Sunday 10 September 11:30 AM |
Cbus Super Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 1,096 | NRL | |
Gold Coast Titans | 34-12 | Parramatta Eels | Sunday 10 September 1:30 PM |
Rochelle Tamarua | 2,086 | NRL |
Round 9
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Wests Tigers | 8-28 | Newcastle Knights | Thursday 14 September 7:45 PM |
Leichhardt Oval | Rochelle Tamarua | 1,733 | NRL | |
Sydney Roosters | 40-16 | North Queensland Cowboys | Saturday 16 September 6:00 PM |
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | Wyatt Raymond | 632 | NRL | |
St. George Illawarra Dragons | 12-46 | Brisbane Broncos | Saturday 16 September 8:10 PM |
Belinda Sharpe | 1,736 | NRL | ||
Parramatta Eels | 6-56 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Sunday 17 September 1:00 PM |
GIO Stadium | Darian Furner | NRL | ||
Canberra Raiders | 6-30 | Gold Coast Titans | Sunday 17 September 3:15 PM |
Kasey Badger | 2,889 | NRL |
Notes:
- This NRLW match is part of a double-header with an NRL (Men's) match, with a different opponent.
- Attendance for the NRLW match in a double-header, distinct from the NRL (Men's) match attendance.
- Attendance for the NRL (Men's) match in a double-header, indistinct from the attendance to the NRLW match.
- Attendance for the first match in an NRLW double-header, when announced separately.
- Attendance for the second match in an NRLW double-header, when announced separately.
- This NRLW match is part of a double-header with an NRL (Men's) match, with the same opponent.
Finals Series
On 25th August 2023, the NRL announced that both NRLW semi-finals will be played on Sunday, 24th September 2023, at the respective, selected home grounds of the teams that finish 1st and 2nd on the ladder. The matches will be 2nd vs 3rd and 1st vs 4th. Within two hours of full time in the last regular season match, the NRL announced the kick-off times of the semi-finals and confirmed the venues.
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Newcastle Knights | 30-24 | Brisbane Broncos | Sunday. 24 September 2:05 PM |
McDonald Jones Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 12,689 | NRL | |
Sydney Roosters | 0-12 | Gold Coast Titans | Sunday. 24 September 4:15 PM |
Allianz Stadium | Kasey Badger | 3,028 | NRL |
Grand Final
On 24 July 2023 the ARLC confirmed the men's and women's final will be held in Sydney on a one-year deal, while the new Minns Government continues to negotiate with the ARLC for further stadium upgrades for both NRL competitions.
Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date and time | Venue | Referees | Attendance | Reports | ||||
Newcastle Knights | 24-12 | Gold Coast Titans | Sunday 1 October
3:55 PM |
Accor Stadium | Belinda Sharpe | 40,649 | NRL |
Team of the week
At the conclusion of each round, the media department of the NRL announce a team of the week. Seventeen players are named.
Round 1 to Round 5
Round 6 to Semi-Finals
Team of the Year
Dally M Team of the Year
Announced on the evening of 27 September 2023.
Jersey | Position | Player |
---|---|---|
1 | Fullback | Tamika Upton |
2 | Wing | Jakiya Whitfeld |
3 | Centre | Isabelle Kelly |
4 | Centre | Mele Hufanga |
5 | Wing | Julia Robinson |
6 | Fullback | Tarryn Aiken |
7 | Halfback | Ali Brigginshaw |
8 | Prop | Shannon Mato |
9 | Hooker | Destiny Brill |
10 | Prop | Sarah Togatuki |
11 | Second-row | Yasmin Clydsdale |
12 | Second-row | Olivia Kernick |
13 | Lock | Simaima Taufa |
Players' Dream Team
The Rugby League Players Association announced the 2023 Players' Dream team on 29 September 2023.
Jersey | Position | Player |
---|---|---|
1 | Fullback | Teagan Berry |
2 | Wing | Jakiya Whitfeld |
3 | Centre | Shanice Parker |
4 | Centre | Mele Hufanga |
5 | Wing | Annessa Biddle |
6 | Fullback | Tarryn Aiken |
7 | Halfback | Ali Brigginshaw |
8 | Prop | Shannon Mato |
9 | Hooker | Emma Manzelmann |
10 | Prop | Sarah Togatuki |
11 | Second-row | Yasmin Clydsdale |
12 | Second-row | Otesa Pule |
13 | Lock | Simaima Taufa |
Individual Awards
Dally M Medal Awards Night
Announced on the evening of 27 September 2023
Dally M Medal Player of the Year:
Tamika Upton ( Newcastle Knights)
Veronica White Medal:
Tahlulah Tillett ( North Queensland Cowboys).
Captain of the Year:
Simaima Taufa ( Canberra Raiders).
Coach of the Year:
Karyn Murphy ( Gold Coast Titans).
Provan-Summons Medal:
Lavinia Gould ( Brisbane Broncos).
Rookie of the Year:
Annessa Biddle ( Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks).
Try of the Year:
Jesse Southwell ( Newcastle Knights)
vs Sydney Roosters in Round 9.
Tackle of the Year:
Jakiya Whitfeld ( Wests Tigers)
vs Sydney Roosters in Round 6.
Grand Final Day Awards
The following awards were presented at Olympic Park, New South Wales on Grand Final day, 1 October 2023.
Karyn Murphy Medal Player of the Match:
Tamika Upton Newcastle Knights
RLPA Players' Champion Awards
The following awards were voted for by NRLW players and announced at the end of the season.
The Players' Champion:
Teagan Berry ( St. George Illawarra Dragons)
Rookie of the Year:
Annessa Biddle ( Cronulla Sharks)
The following award, selected from five nominees, was announced at the end of the season.
Dennis Tutty Award:
Chelsea Lenarduzzi ( Brisbane Broncos)
The Rugby League Players Association announced monthly awards during the season. A panel of three former players selected five players for each month. All current players were eligible to vote for the monthly awards.
- July: Zahara Temara ( Canberra Raiders)
- August: Tarryn Aiken ( Sydney Roosters)
Statistical Awards
Highest Point Scorer in Regular-season: Ali Brigginshaw ( Brisbane Broncos) 80 (5t 30g)
Top Try Scorer in Regular-season: Teagan Berry ( St George Illawarra Dragons) 11
Club Awards
Club | Player of the Year | Player's Player | Members' Award | Coach's Award | Rookie / Emerging Talent |
Community | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brisbane | Mariah Denman | Mariah Denman & Mele Hufanga |
— | — | Mele Hufanga | — | |
Canberra | Simaima Taufa | — | — | Janelle Williams | Cheyelle Robins-Reti | — | |
Cronulla | Tiana Penitani | Annessa Biddle | — | — | Annessa Biddle | Jada Taylor | |
Gold Coast | Shannon Mato | — | Evania Pelite | Georgia Hale | Chantay Kiria-Ratu | Steph Hancock | |
Newcastle | Tamika Upton | Tamika Upton & Shanice Parker |
— | Yasmin Clydsdale | Sheridan Gallagher | Kayla Romaniuk | |
North Queensland | Emma Manzelmann | Emma Manzelmann | Kirra Dibb | China Polata | Fran Goldthorp | — | |
Parramatta | Abbi Church | Cassey Tohi-Hiku | Abbi Church | Mahalia Murphy | — | Shontelle Stowers | |
St George Illawarra | Teagan Berry | — | Teagan Berry | Alexis Tauaneai | Ella Koster | — | |
Sydney | Tarryn Aiken | Corban Baxter | — | — | Mia Wood | Brydie Parker | |
Wests Tigers | Sarah Togatuki | Sarah Togatuki | — | — | Eliza Siilata | — |
As clubs each define their own award categories there are awards that do not fit into the above categories:
- Brisbane Broncos
- Most Consistent: Mariah Denman
- Best Back: Ali Brigginshaw
- Best Forward: Annetta Nu'uausala
- Play of the Year: Mele Hufanga (Round 3 four tries v Cowboys)
- Canberra Raiders
- Junior Representative Player of the Year: Georgia Willey
- Cronulla Sharks
- Education Excellence Award: Andie Robinson
- Gold Coast Titans
- “The Preston” Award (full club award): Steph Hancock
- Newcastle Knights
- Thrive Award: Tiana Davison
- Gladiator of the Year: Yasmin Clydsdale
- Sydney Roosters
- Try of the Year: Tarryn Aiken
- Wests Tigers
- NSW Women's Premiership Players’ Player: Ebony Prior
- NSW Women's Premiership Player of the Year: Christian Pio
- Tarsha Gale Cup Players’ Player: Claire Kennedy
- Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year: Jae Patu
- Lisa Fiaola Cup Players’ Player: Lucyannah Luamanu
- Lisa Fiaola Cup Player of the Year: Angel Schaafhausen-Mino
- Woman of the Year: Danielle Sherd
Players and transfers
Player signings for the 2023 season were effectively placed on hold until an in-principle agreement between the NRL and RLPA was reached. This was announced on 14 February 2023.
The 2023 season salary cap for clubs is $900,000 and the minimum wage for contracted players is $30,000. Squad size is 24 players plus 4 development players. The official signing period commenced on 29 March 2023. Clubs are required to fill their 24-player roster by 24 May 2023.
Table last updated: 25 May 2023.