The NRL Telstra Women's Premiership takes its next evolution in 2025 with the addition of two new clubs to make it a 12-team competition.
History tells us it typically takes clubs at least a year to become contenders, but can the Warriors or Bulldogs buck that trend as they enter (or re-enter in the case of the Kiwi outfit) the competition?
Can the Bulldogs or Warriors challenge for NRLW title?
Brad Walter: Both new teams have recruited some big-name players but neither appear to have the depth to challenge the likes of the Roosters, Sharks, Broncos and Knights. Of the two teams, the Bulldogs appear to have recruited the best so far, with halves Ash Quinlan and Tayla Preston to play behind a powerful forward pack which includes ex-Jillaroo Holli Wheeler and Kiwi Ferns duo Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Alexis Tauaneai. Other recruits include Tonga forwards Tegan Dymock and Kalosipani Hopoate, as well as Fijian international Latisha Smythe, first female player to graduate from the club's junior ranks to the NRLW.
Cameron Mee: The Bulldogs have recruited well and have spent considerable time and resources to lay the foundation for success at the NRLW level. Halfback Tayla Preston will ensure the team is in the finals mix and former Dragons duo Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa Alexis Tauaneai have been tipped to develop into genuine stars. As for the Warriors, Apii Nicholls headlines a host of New Zealand rugby league and union representatives who will make an immediate impact in the Warriors' return to the NRLW. There will be plenty of promising signs in 2025 and expect the Warriors to play finals football but a premiership will be just out of reach for the two new teams.
Two for Tauaneai
Corey Rosser: Superior junior pathways and overall women's infrastructure right now mean the Bulldogs are better set up for long-term success, but for the time being the Warriors look ready to compete with the best from the get-go. That's mainly thanks to the recruitment of some experienced rugby Sevens players and established NRLW stars like Kiwi Ferns Apii Nicholls and Mya Hill-Moana, along with rugby union convert Shakira Baker, while they also have two-time premiership-winning coach Ronald Griffiths steering the ship.
Colleen Edwards: The Warriors are back where they belong in the NRLW competition and will be looking to hit the ground running. While they recruited strongly to lure many Kiwi stars who had been playing for Australian-based clubs 'home', as well as locking in up-and-comers like Emmanita Paki, the main ingredient to which has them well-placed for early success is coach Ronald Griffiths. With extensive coaching experience that spans the NSW Cup and men's Indigenous All Stars teams, Griffiths guided the Newcastle Knights to back-to-back NRLW premierships and is committed to helping build up the female playing pathways from the grassroots level to develop Warriors players into the future.
Paki steps her way over
Martin Lenehan: The NRLW competition goes to another level in 2025 with the return of the Warriors after a four-year hiatus and the arrival of the Bulldogs, with both sides recruiting well and ready to test their credentials right from the outset in Round 1 blockbusters. The Bulldogs host 2023 premiers Newcastle at Accor Stadium and the Warriors travel to Allianz Stadium to face defending champions the Roosters - the ultimate acid test for the newcomers as the season kicks off with a bang. Both sides will be competitive and may well cut down some tall poppies but expecting them to be part of the finals could be a bridge too far.
