Roosters sweat on returning star; Broncos’ halves change-up — Every NRLW club’s Christmas wish

OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: 18-year-old bolter for Manly No.9 void; Roosters sign Johns

ROOSTERS

What they need: Tarryn Aiken to make a return

The Roosters put up an almost perfect season in 2025, although following a season-ending ACL injury to star playmaker Tarryn Aiken, they were unable to close the deal, falling just four points shy of a premiership.

After copping the injury in Round 11, Aiken is currently set to return mid-season but her exact timeline is unknown, with ACL recoveries often taking 9-12 months.

Although the Roosters are well-positioned for a strong run again in 2026, they are currently facing injuries to not only their star playmaker but also Keeley Davis, Amber Hall, Taina Vaividi and Aliyah Nasio.

Although they are all set to make a return by next season, the Sydney side will need to prioritise the health of their squad and hope for a quick return for Aiken if they want another shot at the title.

WESTS TIGERS

What they need: Their new coach to bring in a fresh crop of talent

Following back-to-back wooden spoons, the Tigers are looking to make a change, and coach Craig Sandercock is hoping his plan to enact a player clean out will bring about a fresh crop of talent, which is exactly what the team needs.

Following the release of 13 players, the Tigers first recruited Kiwi Ferns captain Raecene McGregor, who will join Kezie Apps at the helm of the squad.

McGregor is sure to bring a wealth of experience to the side, but the team is still in need of a full squad, and fresh new look.

They have begun a string of recruitments, including a number of NRLW stars and pathways recruits: Bulldogs centre Holli Wheeler, Dragons’ Shenai Lendill, and young stars Namoe Gesa, Shaniece Monschau and Leah Ollerto.

These signings, among others, are set to begin a new era for the Tigers, with a fresh-faced side aiming to lose the cursed wooden spoon.

BRONCOS

What they need: Their Jillaroos halves pairing to click

The Broncos have emerged as one of the biggest talking points during this off-season, following the loss of seven major players amid signing of one of the league’s biggest emerging stars in Jesse Southwell.

While it will take a lot to offset the loss of Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga, and Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, a halves combination of two of the league’s biggest names could be the tool to success.

Led by Ali Brigginshaw, the Broncos have been a powerful force in the NRLW since its inaugural season in 2018, contributing to four premiership titles.

Meanwhile, Southwell has become a star of the league since her debut in 2022, winning two premierships with the Knights and playing for the Sky Blues and Jillaroos.

Brigginshaw and Southwell had a crack at this pairing during the 2025 Pacific Championships, where the two put up a dominant performance, culminating in a 40-8 final victory over New Zealand.

The two are incredible playmakers in their own right, but for the Broncos to have a chance at going back-to-back, the side will need to prioritise this pairing to get the most out of the powerful partnership.

WARRIORS

What they need: Ronald Griffiths to add some winning magic

Despite narrowly missing the finals, the Warriors showed a lot of promise in their first year back in the competition, with Ronald Griffiths proving why he is a two-time premiership winning coach.

The expectations for 2026 are high for the Warriors following a promising run, alongside the addition of a Broncos trio in Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year Gayle Broughton, forward Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala and Kiwi Ferns star Mele Hufanga, as well as Rugby Sevens star Stacey Waaka.

After joining the competition in 2021, Griffiths coached the Knights to premierships in 2022 and 2023.

If the pattern continues, the Warriors could be looking at their first premiership next year.

New Zealand have locked down skipper and member of the original Warriors squad Apii Nicholls, as well as 2025 emerging stars Payton Takimoana and Patricia Maliepo.

With one season at the Warriors under his belt and a star-studded squad at his disposal, 2026 could be the year for Griffiths to take out another title.

DRAGONS

What they need: New leaders to step up

The Dragons will need to rely on a new batch of leaders and young stars if they want any chance at a deep run this season, following the release of captain and former Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor (Wests Tigers).

The side will be looking to grow its crop of leaders, likely starting with a heightening focus on 23-year-old Zali Hopkins, who co-captained the side in 2025.

Hopkins proved herself as a big player for the Dragons over the last few years, although lacks the experience and tenure of McGregor.

Coach Nathan Cross will be hoping to expand the crop of leaders through building up other young stars in Kasey Reh and Teagan Berry.

With the departure of McGregor, young halfback Reh will be set to take ownership of the Dragon’s attack, likely teaming up with Hopkins, in a combination Cross attempted late in the 2025 season.

The Reh-Hopkins pairing put up a win against the Warriors in Round 9 and with Berry emerging as a strong fullback option, these young stars have leadership potential that they will need to capitalise on for a chance at finals.

TITANS

What they need: A healthy squad

The Titans were lucky to make the finals in 2025, after a year that saw injury victims arise seemingly every week.

With a healthy squad in 2026, Karyn Murphy’s Gold Coast side have a chance to go deep.

The Titans medical team had no breaks last season with Jaime Chapman, Lily Patston and Destiny Mino-Sinapati suffering ankle injuries that took them out for most of the campaign, while Origin star Sienna Lofipo and Georgia Grey missed several weeks due to concussions.

Forward Rilee Jorgensen was ruled out medically pre-season after going through back surgery, while Chapman was restricted to a handful of games due to hamstring and ankle injuries.

Pauline Piliae-Rasabale faced a hamstring injury and Niall Williams-Guthrie suffered a finger injury, with both currently off-contract for 2026.

The Titans looked to young stars Jasmin Morrissey, Lily Kolc, Phoenix-Raine Hippi and Ivana Lolesio to offset some of these losses, but will ultimately be hoping to see a much healthier year for their squad.

With a squad free from injuries, Murphy will be able to create a far more consistent roster, which could position the Titans for a shot at a real finals run.

COWBOYS

What they need: A new halfback to sign

With the loss of several key players, the Cowboys are on the hunt for a halfback that can bring consistency to the side, which they lacked in 2025.

The Cowboys made their first-ever finals series this year but were unable to seal the deal, as they battled constant roster changes and inconsistency in the halves.

Coach Ricky Henry cycled through a lot of options in 2025, with the likes of Kirra Dibb, Krystal Blackwood, Tahlulah Tillett and Rosie Kelly all stepping up to the plate at points.

With departures to Blackwood (Raiders), Dibb (Knights) and Tillett (retired), Henry will be forced to again to look to new combinations, which could make finding a consistent spine challenging.

For another shot at finals, a consistent halves pairing should be at the top of Henry’s priority list, but that starts with finding a halfback.

Rosie Kelly should be a lock in the halves, although would be best suited in the No.6 jersey, while fullback Jakiya Whitfield could be an option for the No.7 jersey; however an outside recruit would best suit the open slot.

The rest of the Cowboys spine should see more consistency this season with Dally M Hooker of the Year Emma Manzelmann and prop Makenzie Weale re-signed alongside Northern Pride call-up Sian Williams.

SHARKS

What they need: To compete with the Broncos and Roosters halves

Cronulla consistently finish near the top of the ladder yet have never won a premiership.

There is no doubt why the Sharks are consistent favourites, with powerful backs, and a forward pack led by Jillaroos Ellie Johnston and Quincy Dodd and Kiwi Ferns stand-out Annessa Biddle … yet when it comes to their halves, Cronulla continue to fall behind.

Although the Sharks put up an impressive performance in 2025, coming just one point shy of a grand final, they simply could not compete with the incredible halves of the Broncos and Roosters throughout the season.

With the addition of Jesse Southwell to the Broncos and the Roosters hoping for a quick return to Tarryn Aiken, the Sharks will need to step up their halves for a shot at their first premiership title.

Without the signing of a new halfback or five-eighth, the Sharks will instead need to prioritise building up young halves Georgia Hannaway and Chantay Kiria-Ratu, as well as hope for a big campaign from seasoned five-eighth Emma Verran.

EELS

What they need: Keilee Joseph to make an impact

After a stellar year for the premiership-winning Broncos, Keilee Joseph could be the Eels’ ticket straight to finals.

Finishing just shy of the top six in 2025, the Eels will be looking to Joseph to make an impact and if she can hit the ground running as she did in Brisbane, the Eels could be looking at a promising season.

Joseph made 399 tackles and 1,429 running metres during 2025, before she was selected for the Jillaroos side in the Pacific Championships.

Backing up Joseph, Parramatta have signed Titans’ Jasmin Morrissey and Roosters’ Jayde Herdegen, adding depth to the backline in an effort to remodel the side, amid the departure of 10 players from this year’s squad.

BULLDOGS

What they need: A full squad

The Bulldogs will enter their second year in the NRLW in 2026 and although history shows winning the competition in early years is a challenge, doing it without a completed roster will be impossible.

The Bulldogs have currently re-signed 12 players for next season, leaving half of their squad off contract.

The side has yet to make any recruits and has seen the departures of Shaniece Monschau (Wests Tigers), Holli Wheeler (Wests Tigers) and Tegan Dymock (Sharks).

At this stage, Canterbury will be relying on the stars of their 2025 squad, including veteran halfback Tayla Preston, Kiwi Ferns ace Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, and Players’ Player of the Year Ashleigh Quinlan.

However, without any big recruits, the side will struggle to push beyond their 2025 placement.

RAIDERS

What they need: Sheridan Gallagher to hit the ground running

Knights’ Sheridan Gallagher is set to make a huge impact on Canberra and could be their secret to a huge year.

Gallagher was a driving force behind Newcastle’s 2023 premiership and was the leading tryscorer each season across her three years with the club.

Gallagher was a Dally M Winger of the Year in 2025 and is sure to make a huge impact on the Raiders’ backline.

Following an 11th placed season in 2025, coach Darrin Borthwick will be looking to capitalise on Gallagher’s talent and experience, as well as new talent joined by Bobbi Law (Dragons), Krystal Blackwell (Cowboys), and Ellie Brander (Roosters), all adding much needed depth to the side.