NRLW squad watch: Roosters the team to beat in 2023

Will anyone be able to stop the Roosters? 

That's the question being asked in the lead-up to the side's sixth NRLW campaign after another dominant recruitment display from the Tricolours in the off-season and talk of a new style of play expected under coach John Strange. 

Just when the club looked like being gutted of players to rival clubs with the likes of Raecene McGregor (Dragons), Destiny Brill (Broncos) and Sam Bremner (retirement) among them to depart, the Roosters sent a big statement in return.

The Knights might be the defending premiers but the Tricolours, who were the 2021 champions and 2022 minor premiers, have put together a squad this year that will immediately make them the team to beat in 2023.

Predicted Round 1 Team

1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jess Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Jocelyn Kelleher 8. Millie Boyle 9. Keeley Davis 10. Mya-Hill Moana 11. Olivia Kernick 12. Amber Hall 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Shawden Burton 15. Otesa Pule 16. Teuila Fotu-Moala 17. Kalosipani Hopoate.

Other: Tyler Bentley, Alexandrea Kiriwi, Joeli Morris, Tavarna Papalii, Amelia Pasikala, Lily Rogan, Shannon Rose.

Biggest strength

For every player the Roosters lost from last year's squad, they were either able to gain a player capable of playing at the same standard or even greater football.

The side's forward pack has the potential to dominate in every game, led by Millie Boyle and Keilee Joseph through the middle.

Add in the damaging play by Amber Hall on the edge and the likes of Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis should reap the rewards while the return of Corban Baxter from the birth of her second child and Brydie Parker (knee) are added boosts in the backline.

Former Kiwi Ferns star Teuila Fotu-Moala, who was the 2017 player of the World Cup, is a player on the comeback trail to the NRLW and could prove a hit if she gets back to full fitness in 2023. 

Biggest question mark

Expectation will be a big thing for the Roosters to overcome in 2023, particularly after they surrendered their spot in the 2022 NRLW grand final last year in devastating fashion against Parramatta. 

The expanded competition will mean no matter how well sides are going, if they can't maintain that during the finals it will all go to waste when it matters most.

The Roosters have struggled with the pressure of being competition favourites in previous NRLW campaigns and won't be able to escape that again this year given the squad put together.

Best buy

Take your pick but it's hard to go past Millie Boyle and Tarryn Aiken. Both are at the peak of their games with Boyle averaging 200 metres per outing for the Knights last season and Aiken coming off a World Cup campaign that included five tries and eight try assists in four games for the Jillaroos. 

Rookie to watch

Teenage rookie Tavarna Papalii has joined the NRLW squad at 18 and looms as the club's next debutante after impressing in the Tarsha Gale Cup in 2023, where she was named player of the grand final.

After starting out as a fullback in Queensland, Papalii has transitioned to the middle forwards as a lock and received the honour of being named the inaugural Australian Schoolgirls captain.