The 2026 NRLW Telstra Premiership is up and running, with all 12 clubs settling into Round 2 after a busy off-season of signings, retirements and cross-code recruitment. From premiership-winning veterans to sevens converts, rosters have shifted plenty since last year.
Here’s a full breakdown of every club’s 2026 squad, leadership group, and the storylines shaping the competition so far.
NRLW 2026 Clubs at a Glance
| Club | Captain(s) | Squad Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Broncos | Tamika Upton | Reigning premiers; Jada Ferguson signed through to 2029 |
| Canberra Raiders | Simaima Taufa & Zahara Temara | Unbeaten start; Krystal Blackwell settling into five-eighth |
| Canterbury Bulldogs | Tayla Preston & Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa | Foundation signing Preston extended to 2028 |
| Cronulla Sharks | Tiana Penitani Gray | Captain returns from knee injury for Round 2 |
| Gold Coast Titans | Leadership TBC (Georgia Hale central figure) | Rugby sevens convert Teagan Levi joins hometown club |
| Newcastle Knights | Yasmin Meakes | Back-to-back premiers; Predebon and Romaniuk extended to 2028 |
| North Queensland Cowboys | Rotating leadership | Wallaroos star Ashley Marsters set for NRLW debut |
| Parramatta Eels | Rotating leadership | Layne Morgan and Rueben Cherrington headline rugby crossovers |
| St George Illawarra Dragons | Brooke Anderson | Shenae Ciesiolka signed on a four-year deal |
| Sydney Roosters | Isabelle Kelly | Tarryn Aiken back from ACL injury for Round 2 |
| New Zealand Warriors | Rotating leadership | Stacey Waaka returns to NRLW after rugby union stint |
| Wests Tigers | Kezie Apps | Shaylee Bent closing in on club appearance milestones |
Brisbane Broncos
The reigning premiers head into 2026 with captain Tamika Upton leading a squad boosted by hooker Jada Ferguson’s extension to 2029 and four fresh debutants, three of whom scored in the opening-round win over the Cowboys.
Squads: Ali Brigginshaw, Amanii Misa, Azalleyah Maaka, Bree Spreadborough, Brianna Clark, Caitlin Urwin, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Destiny Brill, Georgia Bartlett, Jada Ferguson, Jesse Southwell, Julia Robinson, Kerri Johnson, Lauren Dam, Lillian Yarrow, Reegan Hicks, Rhemy Hinckesman, Romy Teitzel, Shannon Mato, Shalom Sauaso, Skyla Adams, Tamika Upton, Tara McGrath-West, Tavarna Papalii
Canberra Raiders
Co-captains Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara lead a Raiders group that has stayed largely settled through two rounds, with Krystal Blackwell’s move into the halves alongside Temara giving the side fresh attacking direction.
Squads: Bobbi Law, Chanté Temara, Charlotte Basham, Chloe Saunders, Elise Simpson, Ellie Brander, Emma Barnes, Grace Kemp, Grace Kukutai, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Isabella Waterman, Jordyn Preston, Krystal Blackwell, Leianne Tufuga, Lili Boyle, Mackenzie Wiki, Madison Bartlett, Madyson Tooth, Relna Wuruki-Hosea, Sereana Naitokatoka, Sheridan Gallagher, Simaima Taufa, Sophie Holyman, Zahara Temara
Canterbury Bulldogs
Foundation captain Tayla Preston, re-signed to 2028, shares leadership duties with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa in a squad blending long-serving juniors with rugby union imports Daynah Nankivell and Tamika Jones.
Squads: Alexis Tauaneai, Andie Robinson, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Ashleigh Quinlan, Bridget Hoy, Daynah Nankivell, Ebony Prior, Elizabeth MacGregor, Evah McEwen, Evelyn Roberts, Hope Millard, Latisha Smythe, Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala, Mary-Jane Taito, Moana Courtenay, Monica Tagoai, Paea Uilou, Pani Hopoate, Pauline Suli-Ruka, Simina Lokotui, Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau, Tamika Jones, Tayla Preston, Waimarie Martin
Cronulla Sharks
Captain Tiana Penitani Gray returns from a knee injury for Round 2, strengthening a Sharks squad that has also added sevens convert Madison Ashby and Cowboys recruit China Polata over summer.
Squads: Annessa Biddle, Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Cassie Staples, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, China Polata, Ellie Johnston, Emma Verran, Filomina Hanisi, Georgia Hannaway, Georgia Ravics, Grace-Lee Weekes, Jacinta Carter, Jada Taylor, Jaydika Tafua, Manilita Takapautolo, Najvada George, Quincy Dodd, Rhiannon Byers, Stephanie Faulkner, Talei Holmes, Tegan Dymock, Tiana Penitani Gray, Tyla King
Gold Coast Titans
With formal captaincy still to be settled, foundation leader Georgia Hale remains the squad’s on-field anchor. Injuries have forced early reshuffles, opening the door for debutants Fanua Rimoni and Indie Bostock.
Squads: Aleksandra Tunufai, Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Enah Desic, Eta Sikahele, Evania Pelite, Georgia Grey, Georgia Hale, Indie Bostock, Ivana Lolesio, Jaime Chapman, Jasmine Solia, Jessika Elliston, Lailani Montgomery, Laikha Clarke, Lauren Brown, Lily Kolc, Natasha Penitani, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Rilee Jorgensen, Sarina Masaga, Sienna Lofipo, Takoda Thompson, Te Ngaroahiahi Fanua Awhina Rimoni, Teagan Levi
Newcastle Knights
The back-to-back premiers, led by Yasmin Meakes, head into 2026 boosted by extensions for forward pillars Tayla Predebon and Kayla Romaniuk through 2028, plus a debut opportunity for fullback Lucy Spain.
Squads: Amelia Pasikala, Botille Vette-Welsh, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa, Evie Jones, Fane Finau, Georgia Roche, Joeli Morris, Jules Kirkpatrick, Kayla Romaniuk, Kirra Dibb, Lily-Ann White, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Olivia Higgins, Shanice Parker, Sidney Taylor, Sienna Yeo, Simone Karpani, Stella Lewis, Tayla Predebon, Tenika Willison, Tiana Davison, Tori Shipton, Yasmin Meakes
North Queensland Cowboys
Leadership rotates through a Cowboys pack reshaped by rugby recruits, with most-capped Wallaroo Ashley Marsters set to make her long-awaited NRLW debut after injury opened a spot on the wing.
Squads: Abigail Roache, Alisha Foord, Ana Malupo, Ashley Marsters, Bree Chester, Ebony Raftstrand-Smith, Emily Veivers, Emma Manzelmann, Essay Banu, Francesca Goldthorp, Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell, Jakiya Whitfeld, Jasmine Peters, Jennifer Kimber, Lily Peacock, Lily Dick, Lydia Turua-Quedley, Makenzie Weale, Rosie Kelly, Sian Williams, Tafao Asaua, Tallisha Harden, Tayla Curtis, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Parramatta Eels
Coach Steve Georgallis has kept faith with a settled core through two rounds, with Wallaroos duo Layne Morgan and Rachael Pearson’s halves partner Cassey Tohi-Hiku giving the Eels added spine depth.
Squads: Abbi Church, Boss Kapua, Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Chloe Jackson, Elsie Albert, Fleur Ginn, Fontayne Tufuga, Jasmin Morrissey, Jayde Herdegen, Katie Fallon, Keilee Joseph, Kennedy Cherrington, Layne Morgan, Lindsay Tui, Mahalia Murphy, Martha Mataele, Rachael Pearson, Rory Owen, Rosemarie Beckett, Rueben Cherrington, Ryvrr-Lee Alo, Taneka Todhunter, Tess McWilliams, Zali Fay
St George Illawarra Dragons
Skipper Brooke Anderson has shifted into hooker following injury to Nita Maynard, leading a Dragons squad boosted by Shenae Ciesiolka’s four-year deal and Wallaroos recruit Arabella McKenzie.
Squads: Ahlivia Ingram, Alexis Tauaneai, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Arabella McKenzie, Bronte Wilson, Brooke Anderson, Ella Koster, Emma Verran, Hannah Southwell, Jayme Millard, Kasey Reh, Keele Browne, Lavinia Kitai, Madison Mulhall, Maria Paseka, Montana Clifford, Montaya Hudson, Nita Maynard, Sara Sautia, Seriah Palepale, Shenae Ciesiolka, Taliah Fuimaono, Teagan Berry, Tori Shipton, Trinity Tauaneai, Tyra Ekepati, Zali Hopkins
Sydney Roosters
Captain Isabelle Kelly leads an unchanged, form-driven Roosters outfit after a Round 1 win, with halfback Tarryn Aiken back from an ACL injury and premiership winner Jasmin Strange re-signed to 2028.
Squads: Aliyah Nasio, Amber Hall, Brydie Parker, Corban Baxter, Eliza Lopamaua, Isabelle Kelly, Jasmin Strange, Jayme Fressard, Jessica Sergis, Jocelyn Kelleher, Keeley Nizza, Macie Carlile, Mia Wood, Millie Elliott, Olivia Kernick, Otesa Pule, Rima Butler, Sariah Paki, Shawden Burton, Taina Naividi, Talea Tonga, Taneisha Gray, Tarryn Aiken, Tatum Bird
New Zealand Warriors
Leadership rotates through a Warriors group reinvigorated by the return of former NRLW Winger of the Year Stacey Waaka, who makes her club debut this round after a stint in rugby union.
Squads: Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Apii Nicholls, Ashlee Matapo, Capri Paekau, Charlette (Harata) Butler, Emmanita Paki, Felila Kia, Gayle Broughton, Ivana Lauitiiti, Jasmin Huriwai, Kaiyah Atai, Laishon Albert-Jones, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Maarire Puketapu, Matekino Gray, Mele Hufanga, Metanoia Fotu-Moala, Mya Hill-Moana, Patricia Maliepo, Payton Takimoana, Shakira Baker, Stacey Waaka, Tyra Wetere, Tysha Ikenasio
Wests Tigers
Captain Kezie Apps leads a Wests Tigers side unchanged after an upset win over the Eels, with Indigenous All Stars representative Shaylee Bent climbing the competition’s all-time appearance charts.
Squads: Brooke Talataina, Caitlin Turnbull, Christian Pio, Emily Bass, Faythe Manera, Harmony Crichton, Holli Wheeler, Jade Fonua, Jetaya Faifua, Kezie Apps, Leah Ollerton, Lily Rogan, Losana Lutu, Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua, Namoe Gesa, Pihuka Berryman-Duff, Portia Bourke, Raecene McGregor, Rikeya Horne, Shenae Lendill, Sarah Togatuki, Shaniece Monschau, Tara Reinke, Terina Te Tamaki
Major Updates, Team News & Highlights
- Cross-code influx continues: Wallaroos stars Ashley Marsters (Cowboys), Layne Morgan (Eels) and Arabella McKenzie (Dragons), plus sevens gold medallists Sariah Paki (Roosters) and Teagan Levi (Titans), have all made the switch to rugby league for 2026.
- Injury blows: Knights fullback Lilly-Ann White faces eight weeks out with a syndesmosis injury, while Sharks forward Stephanie Faulkner (ankle) and Warriors prop Mya Hill-Moana (suspension) also miss selection.
- Milestone watch: Wests Tigers’ Shaylee Bent sits seventh on the competition’s all-time appearance list with 51 games, while Dragons forward Madi Mulhall’s 2025 Player of the Year form (95 run metres and 25 tackles per game average) continues into 2026.
- Big-money extensions: Jada Ferguson (Broncos, to 2029), Shenae Ciesiolka (Dragons, to 2029) and Tiana Davison (Knights, to 2029) all locked in long-term futures during the off-season.
- Return acts: Tarryn Aiken (Roosters) is back from an ACL injury, Tiana Penitani Gray (Sharks) returns from a knee injury, and Stacey Waaka (Warriors) is back in the NRLW after time away in rugby union.
- Debuts to watch: Lucy Spain (Knights), Fanua Rimoni (Titans) and Ashley Marsters (Cowboys) are among the new faces set to make their NRLW bows in Round 2.
- Pregnancy call-ups: Replacement contracts have been triggered at the Dragons (Teagan Berry, TBC), Wests Tigers (Salma Nour, Shaylee Bent) and Cowboys (Haylee Hifo) following players stepping away for maternity leave.
Check the NRLW Updated Ladder here!!!
The 12-team 2026 NRLW Premiership showcases the league’s growing depth, with every club chasing the title.
The 2026 NRLW season shows how far the competition’s talent pipeline has grown, with union and sevens converts now embedded across all 12 clubs while homegrown juniors and premiership veterans anchor the leadership groups.
From Brisbane’s title defence to the Warriors’ Stacey Waaka comeback, early rounds have already delivered milestones, injuries and debuts in equal measure. As Round 2 unfolds, one thing is clear: squad depth built through diverse pathways, sevens, union and juniors alike, is shaping every club’s premiership hopes this year.
