New clubs and extensive player movement are set to form rivalries in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership like we've never seen before.
With the official release of the 2023 NRLW draw, we've run our eyes over the games you can't miss this year from a brand-new Queensland and Western Sydney derby to the return of Dally M stars to their former clubs.
The must-see NRLW games of 2023
Round 1 – Eels v Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium
A fascinating Western Sydney derby to start the year with no love lost between these two sides. Wests Tigers' inaugural signing for their maiden campaign was former Eels fullback Botille Vette-Welsh, followed by a number of other ex-Parramatta players – which they announced on Easter Monday ahead of their NRL clash with the blue and gold. Despite going into the year without a lot of fan-fare, Dean Widders' side were playing in a grand final less than 12 months ago and will no doubt head into the season confident of showing Brett Kimmorley's side that they're still the team to beat in Western Sydney this year.
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Round 1 – Broncos v Roosters at Sunshine Coast Stadium
The Roosters recorded their first win over the Broncos in NRLW history last season and after doing battle in two grand finals previously, plus the dramatic 2021 semi-final at Leichhardt Oval, this rivalry continues to build. Brisbane were comprehensively beaten on home turf by the Tricolours and will be out to seek some revenge. Former Rooster Destiny Brill will line up for the Broncos, adding to the rivalry while World Cup stars Tarryn Aiken and Amber Hall have landed in Bondi, setting the stage for a fascinating start to both teams' 2023 campaigns.
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Round 2 – Broncos v Titans at The Gabba
Another instalment of the inaugural Queensland NRLW derby awaits between both these clubs in Round 2. The 2021 fixture was a belter but last year's wasn't as great with completion rates from both sides spoiling what is otherwise usually an even contest. A couple more players have traded clubs in the off-season with Jaime Chapman, Kaitlyn Phillips and Emily Bass among those who have defected from the Broncos for the Gold Coast, adding to the tension between these two teams.
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Round 3 – Cowboys v Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
A new Queensland derby awaits in the NRLW with the well-established Broncos set to take on the Cowboys as part of a double-header with the men's fixture on August 5 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. It will be the first time Cowboys fans can watch their women on home turf in what promises to be an historic day for the club. Local North Queenslander Romy Teitzel will be lining up for the Broncos, adding to the spice of the match.
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Round 3 – Eels v Knights at CommBank Stadium
The 2022 grand final might've been a blowout on the scoreboard by the end of the game but for the first 60 minutes the Eels got within reach of pulling off an upset in the decider. Newcastle were deserving winners on the day but the result sets up a nice rivalry after the Eels previously won by a field goal when both sides met in their inaugural season in 2021. A few months later the Knights got out of jail with a dubious Tayla Predebon try at McDonald Jones Stadium. It will leave plenty of fire burning in the belly for the Eels to jag one back against the defending premiers.
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Round 3 – Roosters v Dragons at Sydney Cricket Ground
Having faced each other numerous times throughout the years in NRLW, the Roosters and Dragons are in for another intriguing clash in 2023 courtesy of some high-profile off-season moves – none bigger than Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor joining her sister Page at the Red V. With the Tricolours pinching Keeley Davis in return, there should be plenty of emotion between the two sides who will face off at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time in the women's game.
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Round 4 – Sharks v Roosters at PointsBet Stadium
Newcomers Cronulla Sharks will take on the Sydney Roosters in Round 4 with plenty of eyes expected on the game. The Sharks have been considered as one of the foundation clubs of women's rugby league for almost a decade but the Roosters were among the four NRLW teams who got the nod for the competition's inception over the Sharks in 2018. It wouldn't have been forgotten about in the Shire, with Cronulla desperate to hit the ground running and make a first-up impact five years later. Add in the likes of Emma Tonegato and Millie Boyle in new colours and it presents a fantastic match-up in the early rounds of the season.
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Round 5 – Raiders v Eels at GIO Stadium
Another battle for the Eels to look out for with newcomers Canberra joining the competition. We'll get a better indication of how both teams are faring a month into the 2023 season. The Raiders will have former Eels captain Simaima Taufa leading from the front while a host of other former Eels are also believed to be on the radar for the Green Machine as they look to build their squad. Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick was an Eels assistant before moving to the nation's capital.
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Round 5 – Wests Tigers v Dragons at CommBank Stadium
Another clash involving the Dragons with former captain Kezie Apps set to line up against her former club. Apps' move to Wests Tigers was among one of the biggest shocks of the NRLW player movement to date after the Bega junior began her career in the Red V in 2018 and had been an ambassador for the club.
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Round 8 – Knights v Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium
Grab the popcorn for this one. The Roosters and Knights will go into battle for the third time in NRLW history but there will be none bigger than this match with plenty of storylines to tell. Millie Boyle's defection to the Sydney club is enough reason to watch alone, but add in the fact the Roosters will consider last year's semi-finals exit as the premiership that got away, it should set up this contest up nicely – especially given the potential finals implications for both teams in the penultimate regular season round.
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Round 8 – Sharks v Dragons at PointsBet Stadium
Last, but perhaps the most intriguing in 2023 will be the local derby between the Dragons and Sharks. Make no mistake the hatred in the men's competition between both clubs has already begun in the women's game with several Dragons moving north to join the Sharks for their inaugural season – none bigger than Jillaroos superstars Emma Tonegato and Holli Wheeler. It will immediately create a rivalry between the two sides and should hopefully by Round 8 be worth waiting for.
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