NRLW 2026 News and Chat

[AyiosYiorgos]

Thought i'd start a new Thread for the Upcoming season

St George Illawarra’s biggest star is rumoured to be contemplating her future elsewhere in 2027

Meanwhile, Dragons star Teagan Berry is off-contract at the end of 2026 and understood to be entertaining interest from rival clubs.

The try-scoring superstar signed a one-year extension with the Dragons last year, keeping her at the club until the end of next season while knocking back offers from across the league.

After a mixed season with the Dragons, Berry is thought to be contemplating a future elsewhere should the right opportunity come up.

Sharks fullback Emma Verran is also off contract at the end of 2026 and has been flagged as a potential replacement.

St George Illawarra Dragons​

Locked in:
2028: Montana Clifford, Lavinia Kitai
2027: Indie Bostock, Brooke Anderson, Ella Koster, Madison Mulhall, Trinity Tauaneai, Tyra Ekepati, Zali Hopkins, Bronte Wilson, Montaya Hudson, Kasey Reh, Taliah Fuimaono
2026: Charlotte Basham, Hannah Southwell, Nita Maynard, Teagan Berry, Ahlivia Ingram, Sara Sautia, Ella Churchill (development), Chelsea Savill (development)
Moving on: Bobbi Law (Raiders), Raecene McGregor (Tigers), Alice Gregory, Grace Hamilton, Jamilee McGregor, Pia Tapsell, Shenai Lendill (Tigers), Sophie Clancy, Margot Vella
In limbo: Jayme Millard, Keele Browne, Tegan Berry
Analysis: Coming off a disappointing season the Dragons will shake things up again in 2026, opting not to re-sign former Dally M Medal-winning halfback Raecene McGregor and putting their young roster on notice. The continuing emergence of halfback Kasey Reh will be all the more important in 2026 but she’ll need some help in the halves. She’s just been extended through until the end of 2027, which makes her off-limits to rivals until the end of next season. As a star in the making, her next deal will be crucial for her future in the NRLW. Former NSW Origin star Taliah Fuimaono is expected to slot into the No.6 jersey which will add some experience back into the side after McGregor’s departure. Their next big battle will be retaining fullback Teagan Berry who only inked a one-year extension last season and is free to speak to rival clubs now. There was a huge appetite for her on the market before she signed her last deal with the Dragons, but she’s yet to take the next step in her representative career and could be leaning towards a change.
Rumour mill: At least one more rising star is understood to be contemplating a club switch. The Dragons have already made huge changes to their roster for 2026 and with a young group coming through, stability in the next 12 months will help determine their long-term success.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Rumour mill: There’s not much wiggle room in the Roosters squad for 2026, but heading into 2027 they could resume interest in Teagan Berry, who was on their radar the last time she was off contract.

 

[Eric]

Rumour mill: There’s not much wiggle room in the Roosters squad for 2026, but heading into 2027 they could resume interest in Teagan Berry, who was on their radar the last time she was off contract.

Rorters and Donkeys have a monopoly in the NRLW at present. Though if Dragons had one, preferably 2 big, tough girls who play a decent amount of minutes, like Rorters and Donkeys have plenty of, we'd likely match them.

Would be such a shame to lose Berry but if there is one position the NRLW squad has plenty of, it's fast outside backs. Just don't have forwards. But it'd still be such a shame to lose her. Dragons are just as close as any other team to success barring Rorters and Donkeys and if she signs with either of them, may as well just make it a competition for 3rd place going forward.

 

[Justadragon]

Rorters and Donkeys have a monopoly in the NRLW at present. Though if Dragons had one, preferably 2 big, tough girls who play a decent amount of minutes, like Rorters and Donkeys have plenty of, we'd likely match them.

Would be such a shame to lose Berry but if there is one position the NRLW squad has plenty of, it's fast outside backs. Just don't have forwards. But it'd still be such a shame to lose her. Dragons are just as close as any other team to success barring Rorters and Donkeys and if she signs with either of them, may as well just make it a competition for 3rd place going forward.

!00% it's becoming a 2 horse race in the NRLW

 

[Justadragon]

We might not have Indie Bostock for much longer, looks like she's getting pretty cosy with a Phins player.

 

[GCRV]

We might not have Indie Bostock for much longer, looks like she's getting pretty cosy with a Phins player.

Is she going to sign for the Broncos or Gold Coast? You know, Redcliffe is north of Brisbane and Gold Coast is 100km south. It's obviously much closer than Wollongong but doubt it would be possible to live together unless both had a very long commute. As for Broncos, is there a position for her in the Broncos team? Maybe in a year or two but probably not this year.

 

[Justadragon]

Is she going to sign for the Broncos or Gold Coast? You know, Redcliffe is north of Brisbane and Gold Coast is 100km south. It's obviously much closer than Wollongong but doubt it would be possible to live together unless both had a very long commute. As for Broncos, is there a position for her in the Broncos team? Maybe in a year or two but probably not this year.

I dont know what strings she is going to pull as she is under contract for 2027. Anyway time will tell.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

The Knights have signed teenage representative hooker Tori Shipton on a two-year contract, for the 2027 and 2028 NRLW seasons.

Shipton's star continues to rise, progressing rapidly through the grades in 2025, including NSW U19 Origin and Australian Prime Ministers XIII Women’s representative selection.

An NRLW debut for the Dragons capping off a remarkable year for the 18-year-old.


“Tori signing is exciting for our club,” Jeffries sa

“She is tenacious, tough and possesses explosive speed, which fits exactly what we were looking for to complement our squad.

“Our recruitment has been strategic, including a clear lens on what our squad needs moving forward.

“Tori’s experience for an 18-year-old is very impressive, with significant upside and a large ceiling for continued growth, making her a key signing for the Newcastle Knights.”

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Dragons sign Wallaroos star Arabella McKenzie

The Dragons are pleased to announce that former Wallaroos star Arabella McKenzie has agreed to a one-year deal with the club.

www.dragons.com.au

Dragons sign Wallaroos star Arabella McKenzie​

The Dragons are pleased to announce that former Wallaroos star Arabella McKenzie has agreed to a one-year deal with the club.

The 26-year-old comes to the Dragons having represented Australia in rugby union on 28 occasions across a number of backline positions including at the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

McKenzie grew up in Lightning Ridge – a small outback town in the state’s north – and went to school in Mittagong before filtering into the Wallaroos’ youth program.

“I’ve been a Dragons supporter my whole life, so when Crossy reached out I knew it was right. There’s no club I’d rather be a part of.”

Her international debut came against Japan in 2019 before she helped the Waratahs to a Super Rugby Women’s title in 2024.

McKenzie is excited to begin her NRLW journey under Head Coach Nathan Cross with the club she grew up supporting.

“I’ve been a Dragons supporter my whole life, so when Crossy reached out I knew it was right,” McKenzie said.

“There’s no club I’d rather be a part of. I’m excited to challenge myself in a new sport and new environment. I’m looking forward to meeting all the girls and ripping into training.”

Cross shared McKenzie’s excitement and is confident that the transition to the NRLW will be a seamless one for the international standout.

“Arabella is a really exciting addition for us. She’s such an accomplished athlete already and I’m really looking forward to being a part of her transition to rugby league. She possesses a skillset and variety of physical attributes which I’m really confident will make the process smooth,” Cross said.

“She is one of the most competent kickers of the football I have ever seen in the female game. We are excited for her to meet the rest of the squad and staff and really hit the ground running as she takes on a new challenge.”

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Huge kick, bounce helped, not sure how much wind

 

[Justadragon]

The Knights have signed teenage representative hooker Tori Shipton on a two-year contract, for the 2027 and 2028 NRLW seasons.

Shipton's star continues to rise, progressing rapidly through the grades in 2025, including NSW U19 Origin and Australian Prime Ministers XIII Women’s representative selection.

An NRLW debut for the Dragons capping off a remarkable year for the 18-year-old.


“Tori signing is exciting for our club,” Jeffries sa

“She is tenacious, tough and possesses explosive speed, which fits exactly what we were looking for to complement our squad.

“Our recruitment has been strategic, including a clear lens on what our squad needs moving forward.

“Tori’s experience for an 18-year-old is very impressive, with significant upside and a large ceiling for continued growth, making her a key signing for the Newcastle Knights.”

This is really bad, she is one player we needed to keep. How in the hell could our management let this happen.