Full preview of the NRLW 2025 season

Jada Taylor and Maddie Studdon arrive to give you the latest in NRLW news. Today the girls talk about the evolution of the 12-team competition, the massive player movements shaking up the league, and their expert predictions for the 2025 season opener.

The Evolution of the Game

Maddie Studdon reflected on her journey from starting at Mascot Juniors at age four to being part of the inaugural NRLW season in 2018. She highlighted the massive leaps in professionalism and pathways now available to young athletes.

"When I was 12, I couldn't play with the boys anymore and there were no pathways," Studdon noted. "Now, young girls have a clear run from four years old all the way to the NRLW. It's crazy to see how far it's come." Jada Taylor agreed, noting that the athletes are becoming "bigger, faster, and stronger than ever," creating a product that is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Big Moves and Title Contenders

The conversation turned to the major roster shake-ups, most notably Tamika Upton’s high-profile move from the Knights to the Brisbane Broncos.

"She’s the game breaker," Taylor said of Upton. "With her moving across, the Broncos haven't lost anything; they’ve gained." The hosts discussed how the Broncos, still stinging from a 14-nil semi-final loss to the Sharks last year, will be highly motivated to reclaim their spot at the top.

Meanwhile, the Newcastle Knights face a massive leadership vacuum after losing both Upton and Hannah Southwell. Studdon suggested that while the spine will be hit hard, the rise of young guns like Jesse Southwell and Evie Jones will be critical to their survival.

New Faces: Bulldogs and the Return of the Warriors

The 2025 season sees the entry of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the welcome return of the New Zealand Warriors. Taylor expressed particular excitement for the Warriors' homecoming, noting that their first home game in New Zealand is already a sell-out.

"A lot of these girls just wanted to be home," Studdon added. The Warriors' roster features several high-profile rugby union converts, including sevens superstar Michaela Blyde. However, both hosts warned that the transition to league isn't always seamless. "This isn't sevens; there isn't space everywhere. You’ve got to create it," Taylor cautioned.

Round One Predictions

As the girls look ahead to the opening round, the excitement is palpable. Jada Taylor, while admitting her bias, is backing her Sharks to get the job done against the Eels in what is expected to be a wet-weather battle in the middle.

"We want to knock the front door down," Taylor said of the Sharks' game plan. In other match-ups, Studdon is tipping a Bulldogs upset over the Knights, while both agreed the Roosters remain the benchmark. "The Roosters are just too good at the moment," Studdon concluded. "They are star-studded with internationals across the park."

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.