NRL Women's Premiership

On 6 December 2017, shortly after the conclusion of the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup, which concluded with the Jillaroos defeating the New Zealand Ferns by 23–16 in the final,[5] it was announced by the National Rugby League that the inaugural NRL Women's season would operate in a round-robin format, and be held in August 2018, towards the back end of the men's season, with some matches to be played as curtain-raisers to NRL finals matches. The Grand Final, which will be contested between the top two teams at the end of the round robin stage, will be played on the same day as the men's Grand Final. It was also announced that a stand-alone State of Origin match would also be contested in the representative weekend, in June.[6]

The Newcastle Knights, St. George Illawarra Dragons,[7][8][9] Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors,[10] Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks[11] all declared their interest in applying for a licence to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's competition.[12] Other clubs, such as the Melbourne Storm,[13] Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, all decided to delay bidding until at least the next season, citing money and time constraints.[14]

On 27 March 2018, the National Rugby League announced that the Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors, St. George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters had won bids to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's competition, to commence in September 2018.[15][16]

On 11 June 2021, it was announced that the Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels would be joining the competition for the 2021 season, while the Warriors had withdrawn from the competition.[17]

On 15 March 2022, the National Rugby League and Australian Rugby League Commission announced that NRLW competition will expand by two clubs to eight teams in the 2023 season, and by two more clubs to ten teams in the 2024 season. The 2022 season shall remain at six competing teams.[18][19] In mid-April 2022, broadcaster Fox Sports quoted ARLC chairman Peter V’landys as being in favour of expanding to ten teams in 2023.[20]

The following clubs made a formal submission for an NRLW licence in the expanded competition. The submissions were made in April 2022.[21]

• Canberra Raiders[22][23]
• Cronulla Sharks[24]
• North Queensland Cowboys[25][26][27]
• South Sydney Rabbitohs[28]
• Wests Tigers[29]

The New Zealand Warriors had previously indicated their desire to return a team to the NRLW competition.[30] They did not, however, make a formal submission in April 2022.

NRL Women's Premiership hands contracts to 40 elite women players.[31][32][33]

Prior to the commencement of the home-and-away season teams are paired off to play an exhibition trial match.

The season operates using a Round-robin format, with the top two finishing teams to contest the Grand Final which is to be held on the same day as the men's NRL Grand Final.[6] The draw is structured around the men's finals series.[34]

The rules and regulations are mostly the same as in the men's game, with a few exceptions:[35]

• original matches were sixty minutes long, with thirty minutes in each half. 2022 season revised to seventy minute matches, consisting of thirty-five minutes per half.
• ten interchanges in each match, with an additional two during golden point; and
• a 40/30 kick advantage providing for tactical kicking and unpredictability during matches.

In October 2018, NRL announced the inaugural edition of Rugby League World Cup 9s in Western Sydney on 18–19 October 2019, featuring 12 international men's teams and 4 women's teams.[36] This would be around one month after the Women's Grand Final and preseason tournament Auckland Nines in previous years was replaced.

Table last updated 13 April 2022 (after the 2021 Season Grand Final).

Rank	Player	Debut	Seasons	Mat.	Tries	Goals	FG	Points	2018	2019	2020	2021
1	Zahara Temara	2018	4	18	1	22	1	49	4m 3g	3m	4m 1t 9g	7m 10g 1fg
2	Meg Ward	2018	3	10	3	18	0	48	3m 1t	3m 1t 5g	4m 1t 13g	—
3	Chelsea Baker	2018	2	7	2	18	0	44	4m 2t 15g	3m 3g	—	—
4	Lauren Brown	2020	2	10	1	19	0	42	—	—	4m 1t	6m 19g
5	Maddie Studdon	2018	4	13	1	15	1	35	2m	4m 8g	2m	5m 1t 7g 1fg
6	Madison Bartlett	2019	3	11	8	0	0	32	—	2m 1t	3m 1t	6m 6t
7	Tamika Upton	2019	3	11	7	0	0	28	—	3m 1t	4m 5t	4m 1t
7	Kirra Dibb	2019	3	11	1	12	0	28	—	3m 4g	3m 1t 4g	5m 4g
7	Rachael Pearson	2021	1	6	1	12	0	28	—	—	—	6m 1t 12g
10	Julia Robinson	2018	4	13	6	0	0	24	4m 2t	3m 1t	4m 2t	2m 1t
10	Isabelle Kelly	2018	4	16	6	0	0	24	4m 2t	3m	2m	7m 4t
10	Jessica Sergis	2018	4	16	6	0	0	24	3m 1t	4m 3t	3m 1t	6m 1t
13	Teagan Berry	2020	2	8	5	1	0	22	—	—	1m 1t 1g	7m 4t
14	Ali Brigginshaw	2018	4	18	5	0	0	20	4m 2t	4m 1t	4m 1t	6m 1t
14	Tiana Penitani	2019	3	11	5	0	0	20	—	4m 2t	2m 1t	5m 2t
14	Taleena Simon	2018	2	5	5	0	0	20	4m 4t	—	1m 1t	—

In its inaugural season all matches will be televised live by affiliate partners the Nine Network and Fox League.[40] And NRLWRAP

The official internet/mobile broadcast partner of the NRL is 9Now and Kayo Sports.

Outside Australia, the inaugural season is available on Watch NRL.

Holden is the league's past and inaugural naming rights partner.[41][42]

Telstra is the league's naming rights partner.

All playing and training equipment as well as all licensed apparel and hats for the league's four clubs are manufactured by Nike.

Other league sponsors include Rebel Sport,[43] Harvey Norman and Kellogg's.

The official ball supplier is Steeden.[44]

Official match day attire together with other club merchandise is sold through the NRL's stores and website as well through the clubs and through some retailers.