Roosters secure Southwell coup among 14 signings
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Australian Jillaroos representative Hannah Southwell will move to the Sydney Roosters in 2019 after agreeing to a one-year deal with the club.
The former Newcastle Jets goalkeeper played for St George Illawarra in the inaugural NRLW season but shifts north to Bondi along with halfback Melanie Howard, who has also left the Red V.
Southwell, who will play for NSW in Friday night's women's Holden State of Origin clash at North Sydney Oval, made her Jillaroos debut last season to cap off a stellar 12 months.
The underrated forward was part of a 14-player announcement by the Tricolours on Thursday, with 11 retained from last year's squad so far.
Golden boot winner Isabelle Kelly and Origin representatives Karina Brown, Vanessa Foliaki, Corban McGregor, Shontelle Stowers and Simaima Taufa will all return to the club in 2019.
Injured Queensland playmaker Zahara Temara, Ruan Sims, Quincy Dodd and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns representative Nita Maynard have also committed to the Tricolours for a further season.
"It's great to welcome back a number of key members from our founding squad, and to welcome some talented new faces to the Roosters as well," recruitment guru Craig Walker said.
"We worked hard to develop a strong culture in a short space of time last year, and we are looking forward to building on that this year.
"A lot of hard work has been going on at the club over the past few months to ensure that we are well-placed for the start of the NRL Women's Premiership."
Match: NSW Women v QLD Maroons
Round 1 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Among the fresh faces include NSW five-eighth Kirra Dibb, who has capped off a stellar six months returning to the game with her performances playing for North Sydney, and Shanice Parker, a rugby sevens convert who represented NSW City at the recent National Championships in June.
The Tricolours will be coached by former NRL mentor Rick Stone in 2019 after he replaced Adam Hartigan in May.
Squads for the second NRLW season will be finalised by July 1.
Roosters: Karina Brown, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Vanessa Foliaki, Melanie Howard, Isabelle Kelly, Nita Maynard, Corban McGregor, Shanice Parker, Ruan Sims, Hannah Southwell, Shontelle Stowers, Zahara Temara, Simaima Taufa.
