There's a touch of progress in the air ahead of the NRLW's fourth season, with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo spearheading an optimistic season launch and pushing a strong message of all-in expansion for the women's game in Australia.
"The Commission has a focus on growth at all levels, right from grassroots to our elite playing group," Abdo said, with more than a hint of business-speak, in Newcastle on Tuesday.
"We want to go from 10,000 participants just a couple of years ago, now we're 30,000, we want to double that in the next couple of years. We will invest at all levels of the pyramid... [This is] the next step in our growth strategy for the NRLW."
The elite women's competition is preparing for its incredibly delayed lift-off, after the COVID fueled postponement of season 2021. Officials are intent on making up for time lost, and doing it with an unprecedented triple header on Sunday February 27.
A total of 144 players -- including 75 rookies -- will kick off a two-part season in which the women's game is indisputably heading into uncharted waters, the safe navigation of which can only lead to further growth. First catching up on the abandoned 2021 season with a new look competition played through to April, then playing out the official 2022 season from September; alongside the ever growing State of Origin concept, an All Stars match, and a postseason World Cup.
There's a lot going on at both club and representative level. But will the clubs recover from the damage of a lengthy stint spent mostly out of the spotlight?
A fleeting glimpse of the game's best female athletes came on June 25 last year. The annual women's State of Origin clash was historically notable, being the first game in which not only all players, but also all match officials, were female. Adding to the spectacle, another dramatic encounter between the interstate rivals. Queensland's 8-6 win was a ringing endorsement for the passion and spectacle of rugby league; irrespective of age, ethnicity or gender. A welcome and positive boost for the sport.
But then -- pause. Twice the NRLW season was postponed. Not until the All Stars match on February 12, almost 8 months after the Origin clash, did we really see the game's best at the top level again. Another stirring epic, with cultural passion and pride for heritage creating a 'Parra in the semis' type atmosphere at CommBank Stadium in Sydney's West. No love lost on the field, and nothing but love off it. St George-Illawarra's 19-year-old winger Jaime Chapman showcasing all the skills with two excellent tries. Another shining endorsement.
And so it finally comes to the resumption of some week-to-week action, and the strong whiff of progress which accompanies it. New franchises abound, with the Eels, Knights and Titans joining the ranks, while the Warriors depart. Seven rounds of action are forthcoming, and from Round 3 they will unfold alongside the NRL's regular season. Two rounds of finals will follow the regular season, another piece of new ground for the tournament. And it will all come in a longer package, with half lengths extending from 30 to 35 minutes.
As Abdo observed shortly after last season's postponement;
"[We have] a great chance to put the elite women's competition -- our biggest yet -- front and centre early in the rugby league calendar year. Clearly it was disappointing that we were unable to play the 2021 competition this year due to COVID. But with adversity comes opportunity."
And with opportunity, comes pressure.
Both the Eels and Knights have experienced setbacks before even taking the field in the NRLW; with both clubs riding out COVID afflicted pre-seasons. For the Eels, drama struck from the very first pre-season session in early January. Their coach, Eels great Dean Widders, was forced to begin his tenure with a half-empty roster.
"We could lose players at any time, we could lose coaches at any time," a defiant Widders said at the time.
"We've got to be ready to roll with it and keep our standards as high as we can."
Admirable sentiments and a firm indication of the intent from all involved: Let's do this, now is our time. To be fair, a lot of teams in all the codes -- male or female -- have endured COVID chaos. But not all of them are facing a season that could elevate rugby league in Australia into conversations usually reserved for the Matildas or Meg Lanning's world champion cricket team.
But, with new teams and disruptions beyond injury and suspension concerns, come questions around the depth in playing stocks. And with the Cowboys now going public with their bid for inclusion in part two of the 2022 NRLW calendar, the queries will persist.
The Broncos haven't lost a competition yet, and amid calls for the playing pool to be more evenly distributed across a rapidly growing competition, they've found support in unlikely quarters.
Five rival captains have unanimously declared Ali Brigginshaw's Broncos as the team to beat yet again this year. Despite describing them as 'head and shoulders above the rest,' the general consensus was that Brisbane's rivals wouldn't have it any other way. The question remains how exactly they plan to stop a rampaging Millie Boyle, Brigginshaw, her halves partner Tarryn Aiken, and fullback Tamika Upton.
The three new teams have seemingly stacked their rosters with some more-than-able practitioners, some going outside the code to hit their targets. The Titans' wildcard has to be Cobie-Jane Magan, a former rugby union star with a decorated CV. A sevens and 15s scrumhalf, with a genuine unknown quality -- she's been nominated as a potential game breaker by no less than former dual international turned commentator Ruan Sims.
Kiwi Ferns skipper Krystal Rota made her way to Australia for the Knights supposed introduction in 2021. That obviously didn't happen, so she went home. This year, the hooker returned across the Tasman, starred for the Maori All Stars off the bench, and is assured of getting on the field with the Knights. If that doesn't build hunger for a statement debut season, nothing will. Gold Coast born, Indigenous All Star halfback Tahlulah Tillett also comes to Newcastle with lofty expectations.
As for the Eels, they've landed some proper firepower in NSW standout Maddie Studdon, and are investing faith in rising utility Mareva Swann, who gets an extended chance after a debut with NSW Under 18's two years ago. According to Sims;
"You'll know her name by the end of the competition... she is an absolute talent. If she gets a run, gets some decent game time, I think we'll see some exciting things out of her."
For the returning franchises, Kezie Apps will do what she does and inspire the likes of Jaime Chapman with her actions at the Dragons, while the Roosters have instilled superstar Jess Sergis and snapped up starting Maori half Raecene McGregor.
Adding to the history making ambition of the catch up on season 2021, is a new grand final venue. The first competition of this year, set to be decided in a first of it's kind standalone decider at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe. A location fast becoming a hub for the future of the game.
It's safe to say expectations are also high on the famous Peninsula.
"Rugby League's contribution to Redcliffe's visitor economy will continue to grow in the month's ahead," says Queensland Member for Redcliffe and state health minister Y'vette Dath, a person who is rather familiar with trying to resurrect pandemic flattened landscapes.
"The history making women's rugby league blockbuster gives the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula the chance to shine in the national sporting spotlight."
A landmark year awaits for the NRLW, and with it comes an opportunity for women's rugby league to properly assert itself on the winter sporting landscape.
They've got the backing from head office, and a talented pool of players with a rapidly expanding stage under their boots.
Now we wait for the starting whistle.