Dragons finalise Round 1 NRLW team list
St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW head coach Jamie Soward has finalised his squad to face the Titans at WIN Stadium in Round 1.
There was one game-day switch, with Jamilee Bright reverting to the bench and Steph Hancock into the starting side. Kimberly Hunt is the replacement player.
Kasey Reh, Bronte Wilson, and Maatuleio Fotu-Moala will all make their NRLW debuts.
Reh and Wilson both graduate from the Steelers' Tarsha Gale Cup premiership side whilst Fotu-Moala debuts having made a name for herself across the ditch.
A Western Suburbs Red Devils junior, Reh captained the Steelers to an impressive Grand Final win taking home Player of the Series honours in the process.
The 18-year-old was then rewarded with selection for Under 19s Country before skippering the Under 19s Blues to State of Origin victory.
Wilson – who becomes just the second player in NRLW history to be granted an age exemption to make her debut – played her juniors with Collegians Wollongong.
She scored a decisive try in the Steelers' Grand Final win before backing up the effort with a four-pointer in NSW's Under 19s State of Origin win.
Born and raised in South Auckland, Fotu-Moala began her rugby league journey as an 18-year-old at the Ōtāhuhu Leopards before stints at the Ponsonby Ponies and Howick Hornets.
She made her international debut for Tonga against the Kiwi Ferns in 2022 before representing her nation again at the South Pacific Games the following year.
Keele Browne, Bobbi Law, Alexis Tauaneai and Sara Sautia have all been named in the 17 after having their 2023 campaigns cut short by injury.
Offseason recruit Steph Hancock has been named on the interchange for her first appearance as a Dragon since 2020.
Ella Koster (shoulder) is unavailable for the Red V along with Tyla King who finds herself in Paris representing New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
DRAGONS ROUND 1 TEAM LIST
1. Teagan Berry – sponsored by Professionals Padstow
2. Maatuleio Fotu-Moala – sponsored by HWLE
3. Keele Browne – sponsored by Security Mick
4. Bobbi Law – sponsored by Deicorp
5. Margot Vella – sponsored by Carlton & United Breweries
6. Zali Hopkins – sponsored by EFEX
7. Raecene McGregor (c) – sponsored by TripADeal
8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa – sponsored by St George Bank
9. Sophie Clancy – sponsored by Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
17. Steph Hancock – sponsored by Coca-Cola
11. Shenai Lendill – sponsored by Gearbox
12. Charlotte Basham – sponsored by HSE Global
13. Alexis Tauaneai – sponsored by Classic
Interchange
10. Jamilee Bright – sponsored by CBC
14. Kasey Reh – sponsored by SMAI
15. Sara Sautia – sponsored by CHiQ
16. Bronte Wilson – sponsored by Squadron Energy
Replacement Player
20. Kimberley Hunt
CASUALTY WARD
- Ella Koster (shoulder, Rd 2-3)
- Tyla King (Olympics, Rd 4)
