This week marks a half-century of celebrating NAIDOC Week and as a result, it’s appropriate that we reflect on the impact Indigenous players have had on rugby league over the past 50 years.
In partnership with the NRL, Nine.com.au is spotlighting some incredible athletes.
Fans can vote on who they believe are the best Indigenous players of the past 50 years in both the men’s and women’s game.
In this piece, we’re focusing on speed machines and tryscoring freaks as we take a look at the top backline stars from the women’s game.
Tamika Upton
Already cemented as the best player of the NRLW era, champion fullback Tamika Upton has excelled at both club and representative levels.
Upton simply has it all - speed, skill, toughness and footy IQ - making her the total package whether she’s pulling on a Broncos, Maroons and Jillaroos jersey.
She’s the only female player to win two Dally M Medals and has already tasted premiership success five times with Brisbane and Newcastle.
Her try-scoring rate from the No.1 jumper is at an incredible level, crossing 46 times in 50 club matches and 14 times in eight Test matches.
Indigenous Inspirations: Tamika Upton
Jaime Chapman
One of the most recognisable stars in the women’s game, Chapman has the type of blistering pace and X-factor that few could only dream of.
Her iconic try for NSW in the 2024 Origin series, where she raced past multiple defenders to go 85 metres to score, will be replayed for years to come.
She’s also been a standout in the All Stars format, scoring five tries in as many games for the Indigenous side, winning the Trish Hina Medal in 2022.
Chapman is only 25 years of age and still has plenty of highlights to come.
Chapman's supreme chase
Teresa Anderson
One of the early pioneers in the women’s game, Teresa Anderson laid the platform for plenty of stars to follow in her footsteps.
A versatile outside back, Anderson became the first Indigenous player from Queensland to pull on the green and gold Australian jersey in 1998.
She remains one of the most capped Jillaroos players, making 25 appearances during her decade-long career at the international level, scoring 13 tries - putting her behind only Sam Bremner and Isabelle Kelly all-time.
Mahalia Murphy
A rare dual-code international in the women’s game, Mahalia Murphy has been an excitement machine for many years and has left an indelible mark.
Murphy was a highly-touted athlete coming through as a teenager and was plucked from club footy with the Redfern All Blacks to make her international debut for Australia at just 21 years of age.
Just as her rugby league career was taking off, Murphy switched codes and became a standout for both the Wallaroos and Australian Sevens teams.
She returned to league in the middle of COVID with the Dragons and has been with the Eels since 2023, bringing plenty of experience to the side.
Women's backs full list
Teresa Anderson, Jaime Chapman, Nakia Davis-Walsh, Kirra Dibb, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, Caryl Jarrett, Lavina O'Mealey, Mahalia Murphy, Loretta O'Neill, Simone Smith, Tracey Thompson, Tamika Upton.
- Have your say: Head to WWOS to vote for the best Indigenous player of the last 50 years.
- Click here to view the Men's nominees
- Click here to view the Women's nominees
