Inaugural North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Co-Captain Tallisha Harden has today announced her retirement from rugby league.
One of the true stalwarts of women’s rugby league, Harden made her debut in Round 3 of the inaugural NRLW season in 2018 for the Brisbane Broncos.
After a stint with the Roosters in 2019 where she was crowned the club’s Player of the Year, Harden returned to Brisbane for the delayed 2020 season and scored a try starting in the second row in the Broncos’ grand final triumph over the Roosters.
Harden remained in Brisbane through the end of the 2022 season before signing with the Cowboys ahead of North Queensland’s maiden 2023 campaign.
She was announced as the first-ever captain of the Cowboys alongside Kirra Dibb.
In total, Harden appeared in 56 NRLW games, which is 12th all-time in the history of the competition. Her 38 appearances for the Cowboys ranks second in club history, one behind Jasmine Peters.
At representative level, Harden registered four appearances for the Jillaroos, five for Queensland and nine for the Indigenous All Stars.
Harden’s 2026 season was ended in Round 9 due to a nasty injury to multiple fingers which required surgery, meaning she will be sidelined for North Queensland’s final two games.
The Cowboys have received permission from the NRL to retire the No.11 jersey for Saturday’s NRLW fixture against the Roosters.
“From my first game at the Queensland Murri Carnival, to the Burleigh Bears, Roosters, Broncos and Cowboys, through to the honour of representing the Jillaroos, Maroons and Indigenous All Stars, I am incredibly grateful for my rugby league journey,” Harden said.
“I’ve been lucky to play for some of the greatest clubs and more importantly, alongside some of the most amazing people.
“I’m incredibly thankful to my family, partner, the Cowboys, teammates, coaches, staff and personal sponsors who have supported me along the way.
“The friendships, memories and experiences are what I’ll cherish most. I’ve met some of my closest and lifelong friends through rugby league and sport and even met my partner through the game, so I’ll always be grateful for the people it has brought into my life.
“If my journey has helped open a door that was previously closed or inspired young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to believe they can have a go, then I’m happy.
“Footy has been such a big part of my life for a long time, so I’m excited for the next chapter, having more time with the people I love, enjoying the simple things and seeing what comes next. I’m proud of my career and most of all, grateful for the people, friendships and memories that have come with it.”
Cowboys Head of NRLW and Elite Pathways Anita Creenaune paid tribute to Harden and her role in shaping the Cowboys NRLW program.
“It’s not the fairytale ending we all hoped for with injury bringing an end to Tallisha’s playing career and ruling her out of our remaining games; our club is feeling both sadness and immense gratitude for everything she has given over the past four seasons,” Creenaune said.
“Tallisha has helped shape the identity of our program through her leadership, humility and commitment to others.
“Her impact extends far beyond the field, having inspired teammates, helped develop future players and played a significant role in the growth of the women’s game.
“While her playing career may be ending, Tallisha’s legacy of courage, leadership and generosity will continue to be felt for years to come. We are incredibly grateful that part of her journey was shared with the Cowboys.”
