This NRLW off-season has seen some of the biggest signings and shake-ups in competition history, with NRLW expert Kylie Hilder expecting an “interesting and exciting season” to follow.
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Kicking off July 2, early premiership contenders have emerged as some of the league’s biggest players have made huge moves.
Here are the biggest NRLW player movements across the off-season.
SHENAE CIESIOLKA
The Broncos were handed a huge loss recently with centre Shenae Ciesiolka granted an immediate release from the club, signing with the Dragons on a four-year deal.
Ciesiolka has played 40 NRLW games and contributed to two Brisbane premiership titles.
The 28-year-old has been a staple for Brisbane since joining the club in 2018, although the star is now contracted to the Dragons until the end of the 2029 season.
“I think Shenae, with the backline and the players that the Broncos have got, I think she sees she’s got more of an opportunity down at the Dragons in that starting centre position,” Hilder told foxsports.com.au.
As an 11-time Queensland and three-time Australian representative, this transition to the Dragons is a huge signing for the club.
Having worked alongside Dragons and Queensland State of Origin coach, Nathan Cross, in last year’s Origin Series, Hilder believes this could be a factor in Ciesiolka’s surprise move.
“I’m sure that had a little bit to do with it, having that connection with him as well,” Hilder said.
SHALOM SAUASO
Additionally, the 2025 Dally M Rookie of the Year Shalom Sauaso tore her ACL during the off-season in what is another huge blow for the Broncos heading into the new season.
The 18-year-old underwent surgery and will face a nine to 12-month recovery period, ruling her out for the entirety of the 2026 NRLW season.
Across her debut season, Sauaso recorded 74 tackle breaks, four tries, five line-breaks and averaged 140 run metres per game across her eight appearances, making her loss a huge blow for Brisbane’s premiership defence.
Sauaso was also pushing for a Queensland State of Origin debut, making it a big setback to the Maroons’ hopes of winning back the shield.
She is also a part of the Fetu Samoa side, but is now set to miss the World Cup at the end of the season.
BRONCOS TRIO MOVE TO WARRIORS
Following their near-perfect, premiership-winning season, the Broncos were quickly thrown into unexpected territory when it was announced Gayle Broughton, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uasala and Mele Hufanga had signed with the Warriors for 2026 and beyond.
Despite their dominance last season, the losses of these three huge players including a former Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year in Broughton and last season’s Karyn Murphy Medallist Hufanga will play a major role in the upcoming season.
“Losing Mele in the centres and then, Annetta in the middle and Gale in the halves, is massive,” Hilder said.
The signing of these three will be very advantageous for the Warriors given their experience playing together, as well as Hufanga having an existing relationship with Warriors five-eighth and former Kiwi Fern and rugby union teammate, Patricia Maliepo.
These three signings are huge for New Zealand, with the trio also joined by multiple gold-winning medallist Black Ferns rugby union star, Stacey Waaka.
“She was awesome when she came and played with the Broncos, so it’s good to see her back now with the Warriors,” Hilder said.
The Warriors are entering 2026 with very few player losses and some of the biggest signings in NRLW history.
Despite missing the finals last season, New Zealand have emerged as one of the top contenders for the 2026 premiership.
“For me, I think the Warriors have recruited really well with their big signings in Mele, Gail, Annetta, and also Stacy Waaka,” Hilder said.
“That’s adding to what the Warriors had last year, and I thought the Warriors actually performed quite well for their first year back. So, I think they are going to be a dark horse and a threat.”
JESSE SOUTHWELL
One of the biggest signings of the NRLW off-season was Dally M Halfback of the Year Jesse Southwell’s move from the Knights to Brisbane.
Southwell has been making waves since her debut season in 2022, where she instantly proved herself as a long-term NRLW threat, becoming the youngest ever NRLW player at 17 years old as she led the Knights to a premiership victory as playmaker.
“Jesse has been outstanding in the last season or two so it’s going to be big shoes to fill,” Hilder said.
Following the end of the 2025 season, Southwell announced she would join the Broncos in 2026, partnering Jillaroos teammate Ali Brigginshaw in the halves before taking full control of the attack in 2027 after Brigginshaw’s retirement.
At the time of Southwell’s announcement, the Broncos appeared unstoppable.
They had just come away from a premiership winning season and had some of the league’s best talent locked down.
However, the off-season saw the departures of Broughton, Nu’uasala, Hufanga, Ciesiolk and Sauaso as well as forward Keilee Joseph (Eels), Montaya Hudson (Dragons), Lavinia Gould and Shaylee Joseph.
With this swarm of talent exiting the club, there will be a lot of pressure on Southwell to prove herself as one of the league’s best halfbacks if she wants to guide them to another premiership.
“Some massive losses but then you’re replacing them with Jesse Southwell in the halves, and Lilian Yarrow, and Shannon Mato so I don’t think they’re losing at all,” Hilder said.
“I think they’ve replaced really well with what they’ve lost. They would definitely be the team to beat again.”
KIRRA DIBB
Although the loss of Southwell will have a huge impact on Newcastle, they were able to quickly adapt, signing former Cowboy Kirra Dibb.
Dibb was a member of the Knights’ premiership-winning side in 2022 before signing with the Cowboys for the next three years.
Dibb was released from the final year of her Cowboys contract and is set to be back at the Knights until at least the end of 2028.
“Over the last two years with the players they’ve lost, I think they are trying to rebuild,” Hilder said.
“Kirra Dibb comes back, and I think her and Georgia Roche will work well together in the halves,” she added.
The five-eighth brings 45 games of experience, including representing New South Wales in the State of Origin and the Jillaroos during the Prime Ministers XIII.
Having captained the Cowboys since 2023, Dibb brings some much-needed leadership to the Knights, especially after losing their star playmaker.
The Knights put up a solid finals run in 2025 and will be hoping the addition of Dibb can balance out the loss of Southwell as they set out for another finals campaign.
“Knowing Kirra over the years, she is a bit of a homebody and she will be closer to home now, closer to family,” Hilder said.
“Also having the opportunity to come in and be that leader in that Knight’s team, I think we might see the best of Kirra this year.”
Newcastle have also given an extension to emerging prop Grace Giampino to the end of 2028 and former Australian sevens talent Damita Betham has signed a three-year deal.
SHERIDAN GALLAGHER
The Knights were handed one setback after another when winger Sheridan Gallagher announced she would be joining the Raiders for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Dally M Winger of the Year will join Canberra after three seasons with the Knights, where she was the club’s leading try-scorer each season, scoring 25 tries across 32 games.
Although Newcastle will be hoping for a big year from Kirra Dibb, the loss of two of the club’s biggest players in Southwell and Sheridan is sure to have a major impact of the Knight’s forward pack.
EMMA VERRAN
Emma Verran has played her last game for the Cronulla Sharks as the 30-year-old will miss the 2026 season as she is expecting the birth of her first child in July.
After three years with the Sharks, Verran is set to make her return to the Dragons on a three-year deal in 2027.
Verran is set to make a major impact once she joins the club, as she is coming off an incredible season at Cronulla where she appeared in all but one match, scoring nine tries, assisting on eight others, and averaging 136 run metres in each outing.
Verran began her football career playing rugby sevens where she was a Gold Medallist alongside the Australian side at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she was one of the top try scorers.
The Dragons have struggled to climb the ladder in recent years and the loss of their veteran captain Raecene McGregor will not help the struggling side.
Although they will have to wait another year, the experience and versatility of the 2021 Dally M Player of the Year will be a huge boost for the Dragons who are relying predominantly on new talent to carry the side.
“They have gained some good signings and I think there’s more to come. I think they have picked up some quality players,” Hilder said.
“I think they’re building towards something big.”
On the other side, Verran was a major force for Cronulla and her loss is sure to be noticed in the new season.
“It will be interesting how coach (Tony Herman) looks at replacing Emma in the halves,” Hilder said.
The 30-year-old five-eighth had cemented herself as a staple of the club in recent years and alongside losses to Brooke Anderson (Dragons) and Nakia Davis-Welsh (Knights), the Sharks may struggle to reach their recent finals heights.
SHANNON MATO
Jillaroos, Maroons, and Maori All Stars forward Shannon Mato will return to the NRLW in 2026, signing a two-year contract with Brisbane.
After assisting the Broncos 2020 premiership-winning side, Mato joined the Titans in their inaugural season, claiming Player of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023.
The 27-year-old sat out the 2025 season after the birth of her son with changes in personal circumstances leading her back to Brisbane for the 2026 season.
The prop will add a wealth of experience to the Broncos, adding depth to the side’s attack, crucial following exists to several key players.
“A big one is Shannon Mato. It strengthens up Brisbane’s middle even more…they’ve lost a few, but I think they’ve replaced them with just as good players,” Hilder said.
Meanwhile, the loss may spell trouble for the Titans who have failed to make any major recruits following the loss of Mato and five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono (Dragons).
“I haven’t seen too many big-name signings going to the Titans. They have obviously lost Shannon Mato, and ‘Fui’ (Taliah Fuimaono) as their starters, but I haven’t seen them replaced with anybody,” Hilder added.
KEIGHLEY SIMPSON
Knights rookie Keighley Simpson has signed with the Roosters ahead of the 2026 season, adding to their already star-studded line up.
Simpson emerged as a breakout player in 2025 after scoring four tries across three appearances, including a hattrick on debut.
Simpson’s emergence was a huge talking point after her debut game, where she then cemented her spot for the remainder of the season, adding versatility and speed to the Knights’ outside backs.
The Roosters established themselves as a dominant force in 2025, having an undefeated regular season before falling just short in the grand final.
Across the off-season, the Sydney side have been able to keep their squad intact, only losing forward Ellie Brander, while keeping hold of major players including Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick and Tarryn Aiken who should make a return from injury mid-season.
The 21-year-old will also be joined by cross-code super rugby convert, Tatum Bird.
“The Roosters really haven’t lost anyone out of their starting 17 or 18. They have picked up Tatum Bird from rugby and Keely Simpson from the Knights, but apart from that, they’ve pretty much got the same squad, which is going to be a massive benefit going into the season,” Hilder said.
Amid clubs like Broncos and Sharks facing roster questions, the additions of these two young stars set the Roosters up well for another season in premiership contention.
EVAH McEWEN
The Bulldogs have entered the pre-season free agency frenzy with the addition of rising Knights star Evah McEwan, who has been signed for 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The 19-year-old played 11 NRLW games across two seasons with the Knights, where she emerged as a powerful second rower.
“The Knights have obviously lost Jesse (Southwell) and also Sheridan (Gallagher), and the other big one they have lost is Evah McEwen,” Hilder said.
“She has gone for personal reasons, but she’s a very good young back rower.”
She earnt a call-up in the Under 19s NSW Origin squad and made her international debut for Samoa in 2024.
As a new team in 2025, the Bulldogs will be again looking to make their mark on the competition and hope the continued addition of rising talent will boost their chances of a finals run.
Alongside McEwan, the Bulldogs welcome rugby convert Daynah Nankivell from Japanese club Yokohama TKM and Tamika Jones from the Western Force Super W program.
INDIE BOSTOCK
Rising NRLW star Indie Bostock has signed a two-year deal with the Titans following her release from the Dragons on compassionate grounds.
The centre stood out for the Dragons in 2025, scoring three tries across seven appearances and averaged 115 running metres each game.
Bostock was nominated for Dally M rookie of the year honours in her rookie season with the Dragons last year and helped guide New South Wales to back-to-back Under 19 Origin victories.
Despite only making her debut last year, her release opens the door for the 19-year-old to be closer to her partner, Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu.
KRYSTAL BLACKWELL
Cowboys fullback, Krystal Blackwell, has signed with the Raiders until the end of the 2027 season.
The 23-year-old was a part of the Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup team from 2019 to 2021 and after three seasons with North Queensland, she will return to Canberra.
Blackwell has started her Raiders return strong, receiving the Trish Hina Medal for Player of the Match in the first NRLW All Star game.
Alongside new recruits in Gallagher and Dragons centre Bobbi Law, Blackwell will add depth and new talent to the Raiders backline.
“A massive one is Krystal Blackwell. She was outstanding during the All-Stars,” Hilder said.
“With Bobbi Law, and Sheridan Gallagher too, that’s a massive back three for them, which is just going to add to what they’ve got.
“I think their backline is going to be pretty lethal for next year, which will be great for them.”
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