Jocelyn Kelleher became the highest pointcorer in the NRLW during Magic Round and while that was a pleasant surprise, there’s another goal she has on her radar.
The 26-year-old is into her seventh season with the Sydney Roosters and became the first to pass 300 points with her five goals in the 38-8 win over the Dragons at Wagga Wagga on Saturday.
“It’s kind of cool – I had no idea about it,” she told NRL.com.
“When Strangey (coach John Strange) told us that in the dressing room I was really shocked as I hadn’t kept track of anything like that.
“I just line up the ball and hit it.”
Kelleher did a little more than just her five conversions. She had a line break assist and two try assists as well as 13 kicks for 307 metres.
Strange doesn’t hesitate to put Kelleher’s milestone in context.
“Awesome for her to achieve that and such a young age as well. She competes every week,” he said.
“She’s played a number of positions with us, although mainly five-eighth or half.
“She takes control when needed and the kicking she does in general play, not just her goal kicking, is outstanding.”
Kelleher has filled in for the injured Tarryn Aiken (shoulder) at halfback and the Roosters haven’t missed a beat even if she wears the five-eighth number on her back.
Super Sergis
“I’m still taking over her No.7 role and doing the No.7 job but I’m just in the No.6 jersey,” Kelleher said.
Showing her versatility in the halves and her pedigree with consecutive State of Origin victories or NSW (2025-2026) could lead Kelleher to achieve one of her most prized possessions in rugby league – an Australian jersey.
She is eligible for England and might have Aiken and Jesse Southwell ahead of her as a starting half. But there’s no disguising how good a bench option she would be for the October-November World Cup.
“For the time being Roosters come first but the Jillaroos is my dream – my goal," she said.
“Just to be part of that squad for the World Cup would mean everything to me.
“I do have a lot of English heritage – my mum was born over there, my grandmother too.”
Isabelle Kelly Try
And next for the Roosters, who are 5-0 for the 2026 season to date, are the Eels in her home town of Gosford next Sunday.
The last two Roosters tries in Wagga Wagga – for Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis in the finals six minutes – say a lot about the club.
The game was already won (26-8) but Kelly picked up a loose ball and sprinted 53 metres to score. Then three minutes later Sergis put her foot to the ball, which Teagen Berry had dropped from a Kelleher bomb.
NRLW Creators: Jocelyn Kelleher
Sergis chased the bouncing Steeden into the in-goal to score her third try of the afternoon.
“We have a saying around here that we like to be relentless,” Kelleher said.
“We try and go out every week and be just that.
“If you put a few tries on, you don’t stop, you remain relentless, try not to let any tries in, and lead with our ‘D’.
“I love it. This is my dream job … how good.”
