Wests Tigers finalise 2024 NRLW squad

Wests Tigers have welcomed several new players to the club as preparations continue for the 2024 NRLW season.

There are six new faces in the club’s top-24 contracted players and two new recruits on development contracts for Wests Tigers second season in the Women’s Telstra Premiership.

Many of the players are either local juniors or have developed in Wests Tigers pathways teams and 20 of the 29-strong squad were a part of the club’s historic first season in the NRLW.

Among the more experienced members in the squad are current NSW Origin representatives Kezie Apps and Sarah Togatuki, as well as former NSW fullback, Botille Vette-Welsh.

There are several others backing up from last year including experienced outside backs Rikeya Horne and Tess Staines, plus international representatives Leianne Tufuga, Najvada George, Christian Pio and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.

Losana Lutu, who represented NSW U19s last year, has been locked into a long-term deal after missing much of last season through injury.

The talented playmaker is joined by several other Campbelltown juniors, including twin sisters Emily and Sophie Curtain.

Another Macarthur junior to have re-signed with the club is winger Rebecca Pollard.  The Narellan Jets junior is one of 16 players who made their NRLW debut with Wests Tigers in 2023.

Balmain Junior Imogen Gobran is another who is preparing for her second season in the NRLW after making her first grade debut last year.

New to the squad are former Rugby 7s player Claudia Nielsen, former Sharks and Tonga forward Natasha Penitani, and Harmony Crichton, who had a strong season for Wests Tigers in this year's Tarsha Gale Cup.

Former Raiders’ forward Tara Reinke is also new to the squad this season, as is fellow Queenslander Shaianne McGlone, a 29-year-old centre and mother of two.

Amelia Huakau (née Mafi), who joined the club from Parrmatta Eels on a two-year deal, is expecting her first child in September and will miss the 2024 season.

Wests Tigers four development contract players are Claudia Brown and Iemaima Etuale, who have both come through Wests Tigers pathways teams, and new recruits Chelsea Saville and Evie McGrath, who have joined the club from Illawarra Steelers.

Brown, Saville and McGrath have this week been selected in the NSW Under 19s Women’s team to face Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday 20 June.

Wests Tigers 2024 NRLW squad:

Amelia Mafi, Botille Vette-Welsh, Brooke Talataina, Christian Pio, Claudia Nielsen, Ebony Prior, Emily Curtain, Harmony Crichton, Imogen Gobran, Jessica Kennedy, Kezie Apps, Leianne Tufuga, Losana Lutu, Najvada George, Natasha Penitani, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Rebecca Pollard, Rikeya Horne, Salma Nour, Sarah Togatuki, Shaianne McGlone, Sophie Curtain, Tara Reinke, Tess Staines, Tiana-Lee Thorne

Development Players:

Chelsea Savill, Claudia Brown, Evie McGrath, Iemaima Etuale