Tamika shows she's a force to be reckoned with in debut season

Bulldogs second-rower Tamika Jones is just six games into her NRLW journey but a willingness to learn and natural talent to burn have the 23-year-old destined for big things.

A former Wallaroos squad member and Western Force best and fairest winner as a teenager, Jones made the transition to rugby league in 2026 and is looking more at home with each passing week.

“It has been a journey, I have played union my whole life,” Jones told NRL.com after running for 157 metres and peeling off 25 tackles in the 28-26 win over the Cowboys at Belmore.

“League is something I knew I wanted to do. I have wanted to make the switch and the girls have been really good."

She was attracted to the Bulldogs through observing the influence and coaching of former Manly and Dragons NRL outside back, Brayden Williame. 

“It has been so good. One of the biggest reasons I came to the Doggies was how highly Brayden spoke of the girls and the club," said Jones.

After bursting onto the scene as a teenager at the Force in 2022 and earning a Wallaroos call-up, Jones was struck down by injury in 2023 when she broke her tibia and fibula.

After a couple of surgeries and setbacks, Jones was back on deck in 2024 and ready to rebuild her career... until the lure of rugby league became too hard to ignore.

Back-to-back losses to the Warriors and Titans weren't the ideal start for Jones but the Dogs have now won three of their past four to move within striking distance of the finals.

“We have been building every game to get to this moment," Jones said after staving off a late Cowboys charge inspired by another former Wallaroo in Ashley Marsters.

“Last week we lost against the Broncos, we knew coming to this game, the Cowboys having won last week would be looking for a win. I am happy we hustled for the win.

"The first half we stuck to what we have been working on in training - tackle hard and run hard.

“Second half, we had to dig deep, with the Cowboys coming out firing.” 

Now sitting eighth with a 3-3 record, the Bulldogs confront the winless Eels in Round 7 and know they will need to keep their guard up.

"We are feeling good for our match against Parra. We know they will come for a win. We will not back down and plan on getting the points.”