With the signing of Dally M Winger of the Year Jakiya Whitfeld from Wests Tigers on a three-year agreement, the Cowboys have struck a blow in the recruitment market ahead of the 2024 season.
Whitfeld, who also won the Dally M Tackle of the Year as part of a breakout 2023 season, concluded the regular season with four tries, ten linebreaks, and a whopping 70 tackle breaks in nine matches.
She was called in as a late substitute for Julia Robinson and was named to the Jillaroos’ end-of-season squad for the Pacific Championships.
“This is an exciting time for the Cowboys,” said Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries.
“Attracting a player with Jakiya’s qualities on and off the field shows that we’re on the right track as a club.” Jakiya aims to be one of the top outside backs in the NRLW and will fight with our present squad in the centre and fullback positions right away.”
After a fantastic debut season with the Titans, cross-code standout Niall Williams-Guthrie will return to the Gold Coast in 2024.
The Titans coach Karyn Murphy agreed to watch the 35-year-old’s progress after going across to rugby league, and the Titans coach had no issue in ensuring the big centre stays on the Coast.
Williams-Guthrie appeared in all 11 games for the Titans in 2023, contributing 38 tackle breaks and three try assists as they raced to their first grand final. In the Pacific Championships, she ran for 166 meters in Fetu Samoa’s 26-12 victory over Fiji Bulikula.
“Coming to the Titans was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said the Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalist.
“This club, our team, management, community and loyal supporters have given me so much more than just footy and for that that, I’m truly grateful.”
Meanwhile, the Dragons have extended the contracts of three off-contract players, Jamilee Bright, Angela Teakaraanga-Katoa, and Tara McGrath-West, until the end of 2025.
Bright and Teakaraanga-Katoa both had good first seasons with Jamie Soward’s side, while McGrath-West made seven appearances after making her NRLW debut a year earlier.
The team had previously re-signed young guns Ella Koster, Alexis Tauaneai, and representative center Bobbi Law, ensuring that Law and Koster would be with the club until at least the end of 2025.
Leave a Reply