Ash Quinlan is excited by the prospect of reuniting with Tayla Preston at the Bulldogs next season as she eyes off a spot with the Kiwi Ferns in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Quinlan, who will leave the Raiders at the end of the season, has revealed that the opportunity to rekindle her halves partnership with Preston - the Sharks playmaker - was a key reason for signing with the inaugural Bulldogs NRLW team.
The pair played together at Parramatta in 2022, steering the Eels to a grand final appearance against the Knights and were the first two players recruited for Canterbury's entry into next season's expanded NRLW Premiership.
“Yeah, that's the idea, to link up with Tay again," Quinlan said. "I was lucky enough to have my debut season alongside Tay for the Parramatta Eels, and we were lucky enough to make it through to the grand final.
"We fell one win short [of a premiership], but I'm definitely looking forward to linking up with Tayla again next year.”
Family was also a driving factor as to why Quinlan made the switch to Belmore, with the 29-year-old playmaker revealing that the Bulldogs were able to accommodate her young daughter Neveah.
“I'm big on family," she said. "Last year I was able to have my daughter involved in the whole Raiders outfit with me. This year I actually wasn't able to have that for many reasons, so I had to send her back to Queensland.
"But I’ve just been told by the Bulldogs that she'll be a part of the whole thing, that is what drove me more to want to go there."
Ashleigh Quinlan Try
Born in Taupo before moving to Australia as a 10-year-old, Quinlan feels a strong connection to her New Zealand heritage and was proud to debut for the Kiwi Ferns in last year's Pacific Championships.
The former touch football star started at five-eighth alongside Raecene McGregor in the 16-10 loss to Australia in Townsville and was on the interchange in New Zealand's 12-6 triumph in Melbourne.
Quinlan said she was now looking to solidify her position for the Kiwi Ferns, who play the Jillaroos in Christchurch on October 27 and the PNG Orchids in Port Moresby on November 3, with the finals at CommBank Stadium on March 10
“Hopefully I get the opportunity to represent my family, because it means a lot. I'm really big on my culture," she said.
“I moved over to Australia when I was 10 years old, so I've lived most of my life in Australia, but to be able to represent me, my family and my Whānau back home means a lot to me. I can't wait so fingers crossed, I get the call up.”
Also in line for Kiwi Ferns selection are fellow Canterbury recruits Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Alexis Tauaneai, who will join the Bulldogs from the Dragons.
Jillaroos veteran Holli Wheeler, fellow Sharks forward Tegan Dymock, Sydney Roosters prop Kalosipani Hopoate and Wests Tigers hooker Ebony Prior will also join the Bulldogs for their maiden NRLW season.
