'Going up another level': 2022 NRLW season launched in style

NRLW captains are predicting a competition that produces its strongest results yet after the fifth season was officially launched at the newly built Allianz Stadium on Wednesday morning. 

Representatives from all six NRLW clubs were in attendance including new captains, Roosters premiership-winner Isabelle Kelly and Knights pair Hannah Southwell and Millie Boyle, who were unveiled as co-leaders on Tuesday. 

After the Roosters claimed the 2021 trophy, during their first title in NRLW history in April, all eyes will be on whether the Tricolours can defend their crown and take out the competition for a second time in four months. 

Among those desperate to hit the field include the Broncos, who lost to the Roosters in an unforgettable semi-final, and the Dragons, who went down in the 2021 decider to the Tricolours in Redcliffe.

The new-look Knights and Eels, and experienced Titans, round out the teams vying for their first NRLW title. 

"This year it's going to go up another level," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said. 

"We've got the best female athletes in the country and playing in our view, the best women's competition in the world. 

"There's a lot to look forward to, we're going to be playing night games, triple headers and in brand new stadiums.

"We know the players are ready and the fans are too."

The NRLW will expand to 10 teams in 2023 with Abdo indicating the women's game was in a good position to build in the coming seasons towards professionalism.

"The [NRLW] is relatively new but women have been blazing a trail playing rugby league for over 100 years," he said. 

"There was a period where there wasn't much development and then we had the emergence of the Jillaroos' program, the interstate competitions and now we have a flourishing NSW and Queensland Cup and now NRLW.

"We are seeing an increased interest in those investing the game. Over time we want to continue our investment in the players. 

"We have a six-team competition and over 144 contracted players. Next year we go to 10 teams, 240 contracted players. We also want to increase the ability for our female athletes to earn professional fees from playing the game. 

"We want the salary cap to grow significantly and we also want the representative payments to grow. There's a lot of work to do and I think we're on the right trajectory."

The opening round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership kicks off on Saturday, August 21. Real hits. Real highlights. Unreal action. Secure your seats at NRL.com/tickets