After a long summer of CBA disputes between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA), the NRLW contract window for the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership is finally open.
In an historic step forward for the women’s competition, this will be the first year in which players can sign multi-year contracts — adding a whole new level of strategy and forward-planning to the league.
>>Scroll down for the full NRLW contract window list and latest news<<
“We are extremely excited to be officially opening the NRLW contract window for the 2023 NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership. This is a watershed moment for rugby league. We are pleased to have agreed the key terms of the NRLW contracting model with the RLPA and Clubs resulting in a landmark new salary cap, minimum wage and player benefits,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said in a statement.
“For the first time, elite female players have the opportunity to sign multi-year contracts with 10 NRLW Clubs, which provides these players with long term security and certainty.”
NRLW contract window: FAQs explained
How many players can a club sign?
Clubs will be able to sign 24 players to their top playing squad, as well as four development players for the 2023 season.
The NRLW contract window opened on March 29, 2023 and will close on May 24, 2023.
What is the salary cap for this NRLW season?
In addition to the ability to sign multi-year contracts, the other big change heading into the 2023 season is the increased salary cap — which has jumped from $350,000 to $900,000 since last year.
The salary cap will continue to increase every year over the next five years until it reaches $1,518,000 in 2027.
This means that individual minimum player salaries will also increase to $30,000 from 2023 — and will continue to grow incrementally over the next five years until it reaches $50,600 in 2027.
After each player is paid the minimum $30,000 per year, clubs have $180,000 to incentivise the league’s best players to join their team. By 2027, the budget stretches out to $300,000 in surplus to top up salaries with.
How many new teams will enter the NRLW in 2023?
Get set for an enormous NRLW contract window, with the league expanding from six to ten teams in 2023. It’s set to create a frenzy over the top players, who are now in higher demand than ever before.
NRLW new teams: Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
2023 NRLW contract window transfers
Millie Boyle to the Roosters confirmed
The best middle forward in the NRLW Millie Boyle is headed for the bright lights of Sydney, joining the Roosters. Boyle played an integral role in Newcastle’s premiership last season.
She’s one of three huge signings for the tri-colours; fellow international stars Amber Hall and Keeley Davis will join Boyle in Sydney’s East.
Boyle shared 2021 Dally M honours with Emma Tonegato and has already claimed three NRLW premierships; one with the Knights and two with the Broncos before then.
Emma Tonegato on the move
It’s been confirmed 2021 Dally M medalist Emma Tonegato, arguably the best Women’s fullback on the planet, has signed a two-year contract with the Sharks; Cronulla’s inaugural NRLW season.
The Jillaroos star played two years for rival the Dragons, after five tries in 13 games and the highest individual honour a couple of seasons back.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see the sharp ball returner elevate her game to even loftier heights at the Sharks, given she only switched back to League two years ago. 28-year-old Tonegato was a Sevens star; a part of Australia’s Olympic gold medal campaign in 2016.
The news comes after the Dragons got a deal done with Titans’ Roxy Murdoch-Masila. She joins husband Ben at the Red V.
NRLW Transfers 2023:
The full list of NRLW transfers for the 2023 season is as follows, accurate as of April 17, 2023:
St George Illawarra Dragons
- Bobbi Law – Newcastle Knights > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Sara Sautia – Brisbane Broncos > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa – Sydney Roosters > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Cortez Te Pou – no club > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Jamilee Bright – no club > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Raecene McGregor – Sydney Roosters > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Kaarla Cowan – no club > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Maddison Weatherall – no club > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Ella Koster – no club > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Margot Vella – NSW Waratahs > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Roxy Murdoch-Masila – Gold Coast Titans > St George-Illawarra Dragons
- Sophie Clancy – no club > St George Illawarra Dragons
- Macie Carilile – no club > St George Illawarra Dragons
- Taylor-Adeline Mapusua – no club > St George Illawarra Dragons
Canberra Raiders
- Monalisa Soliola – St George-Illawarra Dragons > Canberra Raiders
- Zahara Temara – Sydney Roosters > Canberra Raiders
- Simaima Taufa – Parramatta Eels > Canberra Raiders
- Sophie Holyman – Brisbane Broncos > Canberra Raiders
- Ashleigh Quinlan – Parramatta Eels > Canberra Raiders
- Mackenzie Wiki – no club > Canberra Raiders
- Hollie Dodd – York Valkyrie > Canberra Raiders
- Shakiah Tungai – Brisbane Broncos > Canberra Raiders
- Madison Bartlett – Gold Coast Titans > Canberra Raiders
- Felice Quinlan – no club > Canberra Raiders
- Tommaya Kelly-Sines – no club > Canberra Raiders
- Chante Temara – Sydney Roosters > Canberra Raiders
- Ua Ravu – no club > Canberra Raiders
- Elise Smith – no club > Canberra Raiders
Gold Coast Titans
- Jaime Chapman – Brisbane Broncos > Gold Coast Titans
- Shaylee Bent – St George-Illawarra Dragons > Gold Coast Titans
- Emily Bass – Brisbane Broncos > Gold Coast Titans
- Dannii Perese – Brisbane Broncos > Gold Coast Titans
- Kaitlyn Phillips – Brisbane Broncos > Gold Coast Titans
- Taliah Fuimaono – St George-Illawarra Dragons > Gold Coast Titans
- Niall Williams Guthrie – New Zealand rugby 7s > Gold Coast Titans
Brisbane Broncos
- Gayle Broughton – Parramatta Eels > Brisbane Broncos
- Destiny Brill – Sydney Roosters > Brisbane Broncos
- Romy Teitzel – Newcastle Knights > Brisbane Broncos
- Mele Hufanga – no club > Brisbane Broncos
- Filomina Hanisi – Parramatta Eels > Brisbane Broncos
- Ashleigh Werner – no club > Brisbane Broncos
- Tazmin Gray – Gold Coast Titans > Brisbane Broncos
- Lauren Dam – no club > Brisbane Broncos
North Queensland Cowboys
- Emma Manzelmann – Newcastle Knights > North Queensland Cowboys
- Tahlulah Tillett – no club > North Queensland Cowboys
- Shaniah Power – Sydney Roosters > North Queensland Cowboys
- Jasmine Peters – Gold Coast Titans > North Queensland Cowboys
- Kirra Dibb – Newcastle Knights > North Queensland Cowboys
Wests Tigers
- Kezie Apps – St George-Illawarra Dragons > Wests Tigers
- Sarah Togatuki – Sydney Roosters > Wests Tigers
- Botille Vette-Welsh – injury > Wests Tigers
- Tess Staines – Parramatta Eels > Wests Tigers
- Christian Pio – Parramatta Eels > Wests Tigers
- Losana Lutu – Parramatta Eels > Wests Tigers
- Rikeya Horne – Parramatta Eels > Wests Tigers
- Najvada George – Parramatta Eels > Wests Tigers
Cronulla Sharks
- Emma Tonegato – St George-Illawarra Dragons > Cronulla Sharks
- Quincy Dodd – St George Illawarra Dragons > Cronulla Sharks
- Holli Wheeler – St George Illawarra Dragons > Cronulla Sharks
Sydney Roosters
- Millie Boyle – Newcastle Knights > Sydney Roosters
- Keeley Davis – St George Illawarra Dragons > Sydney Roosters
- Amber Hall – Brisbane Broncos > Sydney Roosters
Parramatta Eels
- Rachael Pearson – St George Illawarra Dragons > Parramatta Eels
We will continue to update this list as more signings are announced.
