The Sydney Roosters are pleased to announce the retention and signing of some of the game’s most exciting players as part of its 2023 NRLW squad.
Mya Hill-Moana, Kalosipani Hopoate, Jocelyn Kelleher, Jayme Fressard, Shawden Burton, Joeli Morris and Shannon Rose have all re-committed to the Roosters.
Additionally, the Club is pleased to announce the additions of Lily Rogan, Tavarna Papalii and Tyler Bentley, Teuila Fotu-Moala and Alexandrea Kiriwi.
After representing Māori All Stars in 2021- 2022, Hill-Moana made her NRLW debut with the Roosters and cemented a front-row spot, culminating in a Premiership in April 2022. She was an engine-room mainstay for the Roosters’ 2022 NRLW season where an undefeated regular season campaign saw the Club secure its maiden Minor Premiership.
In the end of season World Cup, 20-year-old Hill-Moana represented the Kiwi Ferns in all five of New Zealand’s matches at the tournament.
Another of the game’s most exciting front rowers, 19-year-old Kalosipani Hopoate will continue her progression with the Roosters. A strong and powerful ball runner, Hopoate was a member of the Club’s Tarsha Gale Cup side in 2021 and made her Test debut for Mate Ma'a Tonga in 2022 before making her NRLW debut (Round 1, 2022).
Central Coast product Jocelyn Kelleher has played 17 games with the Roosters since making her debut in 2020. The young halfback can cover a number of positions and is also a strong goalkicker.
Specialist centre Jayme Fressard returns for her second season with the Roosters and will be looking to build on last season which saw her cross for five tries in five appearances.
Having progressed through the ranks with the Central Coast Roosters, Shawden Burton made her NRLW debut with the Roosters in the delayed 2021 competition. The young rake is impressive through the middle-third of the field and boasts a tackle efficiency in excess of 90%.
Utility Joeli Morris is renowned for not only her versatility but also her team first attitude. She memorably made her NRLW debut in the 2021 decider and will be looking to cement her place in the starting 17 in 2023.
Boasting speed and footwork, fullback Shannon Rose made her NRLW debut in the Roosters’ final round match of the 2022 season. After another strong season with the Central Coast Roosters, Rose will be looking to build on her 2022 season.
After helping the Roosters secure its second consecutive Tarsha Gale Cup title, Tavarna Papalii is a new addition to the Club’s NRLW squad. The young lock was named Player of the Match in last month’s Tarsha Gale Cup decider and is the incumbent Australian Schoolgirls captain.
New to the squad in 2023 is Lily Rogan. Strong in attack and defence, the outside back will be looking to make her NRLW debut after impressing in the lower grades with the Illawarra Steelers.
Tyler Bentley joins the Roosters from New Zealand. The outside back grew up playing both rugby league and rugby in her hometown of Wellington and will be pressing to make her NRLW debut in the upcoming season.
A member of the NRLW’s maiden Premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos side in 2018 and one of the game’s most experienced players, Teuila Fotu-Moala is making her return to the competition with the Roosters, while hard-running and hard-tackling outside back Alexandrea Kiriwi also joins the squad.
The Sydney Roosters will continue to provide updates on its 2023 NRLW squad in lead-up to pre-season commencing later this month.
