Canterbury Bulldogs set to apply for historic NRLW license, declare themselves “fully equipped to host matches”

In a historic move, Canterbury will submit an application for an NRLW license on Friday.

While the NRL is yet to determine when the next intake of teams will be approved, the Bulldogs say they have invested $1.5m into their women’s program.

The club has run a series of courses and initiatives over the past 12 to 18 months to advance and develop the women’s pathways systems.

“The Bulldogs are proud to submit our application in pursuit of an NRLW entry. Our commitment to the advancement of women’s rugby league is unwavering and our application reflects our dedication to creating a sustainable and successful NRLW team,” said Bulldogs CEO, Aaron Warburton.

“Our club has a well-established history and a proven track record of investing in grassroots programs and developing players from a young age.

“Our commitment to female pathways has resulted in a steady pipeline of talented players who are ready to excel in the NRLW competition and comes from increased investment which has allowed the rapid, yet competitive growth of our female programs over the past 12-18 months.

“In terms of venue readiness, we are fully equipped to host NRLW matches. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a world-class facility in our new Centre of Excellence, is in development stages at the heart of our club, Belmore Sports Ground.

“This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for both male and female players, offering cutting edge amenities, training resources and a welcoming atmosphere for all.

“Our dedication to female pathways, venue readiness, and strong staff and governance ensures that we are well positioned to contribute positively to the NRLW and we look forward to the opportunity to showcase our commitment and passion for women‘s rugby league as we strive for excellence on and off the field.”

The Bulldogs ran an Elite Pups Academy Scholarship Program in July, officials claiming it was the “first of its kind in rugby league in Australia.”

The emerging female camp was aimed at giving players the skills to play top-level rugby league along with education around nutrition, preparation, recovery, game specific clinics, coaching, testing and fitness.

Canterbury already runs a team in Harvey Norman women’s premiership, the NSWRL’s premier women’s open-age competition.

“The one thing about this club is that we try to respect the past but we are creating a whole new future, and the women’s game is a big part of that future,” said Canterbury general manager of football, Phil Gould.

“We’ve put a lot of money into our pathways systems in developing kids, bringing teenagers into the system and developing them through to the top grade and that will be replicated in the women’s game as well.

“Creating the future is a big part of what we are doing now. We have great respect for the past, and we celebrate a very successful past, but the future is really important to us.“

Bulldogs female football operations co-ordinator Lauren Milner said an NRLW side was an “important next step”.

“We are really building from the bottom up. We‘ve got strong junior league clubs through our women’s programs, we’ve got our Pups Elite Program which had girls as young as 15 in there, we’ve got Lisa Fiaola under-17s, Tarsha Gale under-19s and of course our Harvey Norman Women’s but the NRLW is something we are all striving towards here,” she said.

“We’ve got what we think is the best pathways program in place and we truly believe that the NRLW would just be a small step for us.”

Canterbury general manager of female pathways and junior league, Barry Ward added: “Rugby league to women now is everything.

“These girls grow up supporting clubs and supporting the Bulldogs. They have watched the likes of Matt Burton, Michael Ennis, Terry Lamb, Josh Reynolds and Josh Jackson and they can now dream to be one of those players.”

‘NO PLAYERS LEFT’: COACH HANDED DEAL AS INJURIES RAVAGE NRLW

—Pamela Whaley

Injuries have hit the NRLW so hard the Sydney Roosters have handed a contract to their assistant strength and conditioning coach just to name a full squad.

With one game left to play until finals, the Roosters have signed Millicent Scutt as a backup hooker. She has been working with the squad as part of the training staff.

She has a background of playing rugby union in Sydney, but her addition to the squad is a depth signing as the club struggles with a massive injury toll at the end of the season.

It comes after replacement hooker Shawden Burton suffered an ACL injury which will require surgery across the next fortnight, adding to the list of season-ending injuries at the club, which includes Amber Hall (lisfranc), Tavarna Papalii (knee) and Aliyah Nasio (arm).

Millie Boyle is also racing the clock to return from a shoulder injury against the Cowboys on Saturday, while Jess Sergis has undergone surgery on a fractured finger and is long odds to return unless the Roosters make the grand final.

Skipper Isabelle Kelly also failed a head injury assessment last week and will miss the last round of the season.

With all the struggles, Boyle says there should be no conversation about expanding the season again next year after this year’s rise from six teams to 10.

“We’re definitely not ready for an expansion at this rate,” Boyle told Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday.

“We’re only heading into round 9 and a lot of depth has been challenged, we’re at our last resort and we don’t have any backup hookers, halves, fullbacks, any of those key positions.

“People are playing out of position. Development players are being brought up into the 24.

“We’ve actually just signed our S&C because we have no players left to play with us. I don’t think there’s any room for expansion beyond the 10 teams, not for the next four to five years.”

Last week it was revealed the Australian Rugby League Commission has reached out to NRL clubs to gauge an appetite for entry into the NRLW from as soon as next season.

NRL quietly moves NRLW games to prime time TV slot

—Pamela Whaley

The NRL have quietly shifted an NRLW double-header to a broadcaster friendly timeslot on Saturday to avoid a clash with the Warriors v Newcastle semi-final in New Zealand.

Sydney Roosters were due to host North Queensland at 1.05pm at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium with St George Illawarra then to face Brisbane in the final round of the season at 3.15pm.

However, broadcasters requested the games were switched, with the kick off times changed to 6pm and 8.10pm respectively, to allow for the NRL semi-final to be broadcast at 4pm, AEST.

It gives the Dragons and Broncos clash a prime time audience, and the two games should retain viewers after the NRL final earlier in the afternoon.

Clubs were aware there was the possibility for the switch, but the last minute decision was made over the weekend, with some claiming they weren’t told until Monday that their games had been shifted.

They had also been expecting their games would be moved earlier in the day to avoid the clash, and were shocked to see the double-header pushed out into the night.

No communication has been sent out about the change, and it was only picked up by eagle eyed media on Monday night.

Only 156 tickets had been sold before the time change, but it’s unclear what impact it will have on a crowd in Kogarah as the Broncos chase a top four spot and the Dragons and Cowboys close out their season.

It’s also caused a change in plans for Queensland teams, with the Broncos now staying an extra night in Sydney on Saturday after the game.

They will fly in to Sydney as scheduled on Friday afternoon, but instead of being back in Brisbane on Saturday night, they will fly Sunday morning at 8am.

The Cowboys are expected to stay Saturday night too after their last game of the year and return to Townsville on Sunday.

TIGERS v KNIGHTS

Thursday, 7.45pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Rikeya Horne 4. Leianne Tufuga 5. Rebecca Pollard 6. Emily Curtain 7. Brooke Talataina 8. Folau Vaki 9. Sophie Curtain 10. Christian Pio 11. Kezie Apps 12. Hope Tevaga 13. Najvada George 14. Imogen Gobran 15. Jae Patu 16. Jessica Kennedy 17. Salma Nour 18. Bianca Bennetts 19. Tess Staines 20. Pauline Piliae 21. Taylor Osborne 22. Ebony Prior

Knights: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Abigail Roache 5. Jasmine Strange 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Laishon Albert-Jones 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Nita Maynard 15. Jacinta Carter 16. Kayla Romaniuk 17. Tiana Davison 18. Felila Kia 19. Tamerah Leati 20. Jayde Herdegen 21. Caitlin Moran 22. Tylah Vallance

Team news: For the Tigers, Sarah Togatuki is out while Emily Curtain returns to the halves for the final game of the year. The Knights are unchanged as they chase the minor premiership.

ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 6pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jayme Fressard 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Tyler Bentley 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Jocelyn Kelleher 8. Millie Boyle 9. Keeley Davis 10. Teuila Fotu-Moala 11. Otesa Pule 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Millicent Scutt 15. Grace Hamilton 16. Mya Hill-Moana 17. Joeli Morris 18. Pani Hopoate 19. Mia Wood 20. Lily Rogan 21. Lexi Kiriwi 22. Amelia Pasikala

Cowboys: 1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Vitalina Naikore 3. Jasmine Peters 4. Shellie Long 5. Krystal Blackwell 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 8. Tallisha Harden 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. April Ngatupuna 11. Bree Chester 12. Lily Peacock 13. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Sera Koroi 16. Mia Middleton 17. Jessikah Reeves 18. Alisha Foord 19. Sareka Mooka 20. Merewalesi Rokouono 21. Essay Banu 22. Shaylee Joseph

Team news: The Roosters have named Millicent Scutt in the No.14 jersey, who was their assistant strength and conditioner at the club. Isabelle Kelly has been named despite suffering a head knock last week, while Millie Boyle is also in doubt with a shoulder injury. The Cowboys are virtually unchanged, but fullback Francesca Goldthorp has been named despite an elbow injury.

DRAGONS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 8.10pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Teagan Berry 2. Margot Vella 3. Shenai Lendill 4. Ella Koster 5. Cortez Te Pau 6. Tyla Nathan-Wong 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Renee Targett 10. Roxy Murdoch 11. Madison Mulhall 12. Ellie Williamson 13. Jamilee Bright 14. Zali Hopkins 15. Charlotte Basham 16. Macie Carlile 17. Maddison Weatherall 18. Kaarla Cowan 19. Tara McGrath-West 20. Sarah Riorden 21. Taylor Mapusua 22. Keele Browne

Broncos: 1. Hayley Maddick 2. Julia Robinson 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Ashleigh Werner 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Tafito Lafaele 9. Destiny Brill 10. Brianna Clark 11. Tazmin Gray 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Mariah Denman 14. Lavinia Gould 15. Jasmine Fogavini 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 17. Lauren Dam 18. Jada Ferguson 19. Grace Griffin 20. Narikah Orchard 21. Keisha-Leigh Coolwell

Team news: The Broncos will get Gayle Broughton back for their must-win clash against the Dragons, who are scraping into the last game of the season on bare numbers.

EELS v SHARKS

Sunday, 1.05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Eels: 1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Talesha O‘Neill 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Tyla Amiatu 11. Amelia Mafi 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Noaria Kapua 16. Ruby-Jean Kennard 17. Jade Fonua 18. Nakia Davis-Welsh 19. Monique Donovan 20. Madeline Jones 21. Kyra Simon 22. Capri Paekau

Sharks: 1. Jada Taylor 2. Georgia Ravics 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Cassie Staples 6. Emma Tonegato 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Tegan Dymock 11. Talei Holmes 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Holli Wheeler 14. Sereana Naitokatoka 15. Harata Butler 16. Brooke Anderson 17. Chloe Saunders 18. Maddie Studdon 19. Fatafehi Hanisi 20. Kiana Takairangi 21. Fiona Jahnke 22. Grace-Lee Weekes

Team news: With both teams out of contention for the finals, neither have made changes for their last game of the season.

RAIDERS v TITANS

Sunday, 3.15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Madison Bartlett 3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 4. Mackenzie Wiki 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Zahara Temara 7. Ash Quinlan 8. Tommaya Kelly-Sines 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Monalisa Soliola 12. Elise Smith 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Emma Barnes 15. Grace Kemp 16. Kerehitina Matua 17. Tara Reinke 18. Ella Ryan 19. Alanna Dummett 20. Ahlivia Ingram 21. Jessica Gentle 22. Ua Ravu

Titans: 1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Sienna Lofipo 15. Stephanie Hancock 16. Rilee Jorgensen 17. Dannii Perese 18. Kaitlyn Phillips 19. Laikha Clarke 20. Hailee-Jay Maunsell 21. Emily Bass 22. Taliah Fuimaono

Team news: The Raiders have lost Holli-Mae Dodd for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Elise Smith comes into the back row in her absence. For the Titans, Taliah Fuimaono has again been named on the reserves list along with Emily Bass in the must-win game.