There are so, so many talented young women who will take to the field during the upcoming NRLW season that I am so excited to play alongside, play against and watch.
My top five ones to watch
1. Chelsea Lenarduzzi - Brisbane Broncos
I think Chelsea Lenarduzzi is the main young gun to watch this NRLW season. Even though she played last year and played for Queensland last year and this year, I think she has stepped up to a whole new level. She's had a fantastic year. She is a top person all round and then on the field, she is just ruthless. She runs so hard, she's a good ball player, she's good for an offload and then to watch her tackle... amazing. She's the young blood coming through the forwards ranks that we really need. I think she's going to have a top season.
2. Millie Boyle - Brisbane Broncos
I really rate Millie Boyle, who is signed with Broncos but is New South Wales for State of Origin. She brings a lot of energy into the game. Again, She is one of the younger forwards that our game needs. Australia have the best forwards in the world with Steph Hancock, Heather Ballinger and Elianna Walton, but they can't play forever and we need those fresh faces coming through while these ladies are still around. Their knowledge and experience is invaluable. It has been quite hard to find players able to stand up and out-perform the older girls. I feel like Millie and Chelsea Lenarduzzi are definitely on track to do that. I think Millie will bring a lot of energy to the field in the NRLW and a lot of power. She's tall and she's strong. I just think she's got the strength we need running through the middle. And she's quite fierce. With her rugby union background, I think she'll be really great.
3. Shakiah Tungai - St George Illawarra Dragons
Shakiah, what an absolture flyer. She has just gotten fantastic throughout the last 12 months. She is just fearless as a winger. She takes those risks that you don't see much of in the female game. We've not had such a spectacular winger. She will leap into the air like NRL players, she does all those fantastic dives out over the sideline; her whole body will be in the air while she's trying to score a try. She just takes those risks and it absolutely pays off for her. I love watching her.
4. Stephanie Mooka - St George Illawarra Dragons
Steph Mooka, she's a fierce Queenslander. I played with her in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons. She was quite quiet when we went away because it was all so new for her but one she opened up, she was a barrel of laughs. She handled herself very well. Steph's ferociousness in attack and defence makes her dangerous. When she's in the zone, she really goes out and makes her presence known on that field. She's one of the only women who can hold the ball out in one hand and run with it. She's got an AFL background and is quite tall so she's got that ability to high leap and run a good hard line. She's fearless. I'm really excited for her to jump into the ranks and see what she can bring to the NRLW.
5. Rosemary Vaimili Toalepai - Brisbane Broncos
Rosemary is another exciting winger to keep your eye on. She is relatively new to this level of the game but I have no doubt she can handle it. She played in the Queensland Under 18 side earlier this year in Sydney and played very well. I'm very excited to be playing alongside her for the 2019 NRLW season at the Broncos.
