North Queensland Cowboys Women

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Full nameNorth Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Football Club
NicknameCowboys
Short nameNQL
Colours  Navy Blue
  Grey
  Gold
 North Queensland Cowboys 
Club information
Full nameNorth Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Football Club
NicknameCowboys
Short nameNQL
Colours  Navy Blue
  Grey
  Gold
Founded15 June 2022; 3 years ago (15 June 2022)
Websitecowboys.com.au
Current details
Ground
CEOJeff Reibel
ChairmanLewis Ramsay
CoachRicky Henry
CaptainEmma Manzelmann
CompetitionNRL Women's Premiership
2024 season4th
Current season
Records
Biggest winCowboys 42 – 14 Dragons
WIN Stadium (6 Sep 2025)
Biggest lossCowboys 4 – 50 Broncos
Totally Workwear Stadium (13 Sep 2025)
First gameCowboys 6 – 16 Titans
Cbus Super Stadium (22 Jul 2023)
Most Recent gameCowboys 18 – 24 Sharks
Queensland Country Bank Stadium (20 Sep 2025)
Most capped30 – Emma Manzelmann, Jasmine Peters
Highest try scorer12 – Jasmine Peters
Highest points scorer134 – Kirra Dibb

The North Queensland Cowboys Women is an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, the largest city in North Queensland. They compete in Australia's premier women's rugby league competition, the NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW).

First Team

In April 2019, the North Queensland Cowboys announced a program to support grassroots women's rugby league in the region with the hope of gaining entry into the NRL Women's Premiership. The program featured sponsorship and support for that year's Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Northern Region Women's Championship, as well as sponsorship of the Townsville, Cairns and Mackay women's rugby league competitions.[1] Prior to 2019, the Cowboys hosted the 2015 Women's Interstate Challenge between Queensland and New South Wales at their home venue, Willows Sports Complex, as a curtain raiser to their Round 16 NRL fixture against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.[2] Several Jillaroos and Queensland representatives grew up or spent time playing in the North Queensland region, including Brittany Breayley-Nati, Renae Kunst (Mackay), Heather Ballinger, Steph Mooka and Jenni-Sue Hoepper (Cairns).[3][4][5]

On 10 September 2019, the club announced the opening of their Women's Academy, providing a pathway to elite rugby league for females in north Queensland.[6][7] The first four Academy members announced were Romy Teitzel, Riutoto Te Hiko, Shanaye Watson and Jasmine Peters.[8] Teiztel's father, Craig, played 12 games for the Cowboys in 1995.[9]

On 17 December 2019, the Cowboys announced their first women's team, the North Queensland Gold Stars, who competed in the QRL Women's Premiership. The Gold Stars were a collaborative effort between the Cowboys and their three feeder clubs, the Mackay Cutters, Northern Pride and Townsville Blackhawks.[10][11] On 14 March 2020, the Gold Stars successfully played their first game, defeating Brothers Ipswich 24–10 at Blue Ribbon Motors Field in Ipswich. Emma Manzelmann and Jasmine Peters, who would be the club's first two NRLW signings in 2023, played in the match.[12] The season was cancelled two weeks later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

On 17 October 2020, Teitzel became the first Academy graduate to play in the NRLW when she debuted for the Brisbane Broncos.[14] On 13 November 2020, Shaniah Power became the first Academy graduate to represent Queensland.[15]

On 15 March 2022, the Cowboys formally applied to enter the NRLW.[16] On 4 June 2022, the Gold Stars won the QRL Women's Premiership Grand Final, defeating the Central Queensland Capras 14–12, with the side featuring six of the Cowboys' future NRLW squad members.[17]

On 15 June 2022, the Cowboys were admitted to the NRLW for the 2023 season.[18] Following the announcement, the Gold Stars folded and were replaced in the QRL Women's Premiership by a Mackay Cutters women's side.[19]

On 24 November 2022, Ben Jeffries was announced as the club's inaugural NRLW head coach, with Anita Creenaune appointed as Head of Women's Elite Programs.[20] On 4 April 2023, Mackay's Emma Manzelmann became the club's inaugural signing.[21]


The first ever North Queensland Cowboys team who played the Gold Coast Titans on the 22nd July 2023 at Cbus Super Stadium. The Gold Coast Titans won the match 16-6. [22]

Jersey Position Player
1FullbackFrancesca Goldthorp
2WingChina Polata
3CentreJasmine Peters
16CentreShellie Long
4WingMia Middleton
14Five-eighthKrystal Blackwell
7HalfbackKirra Dibb (c)
15PropSareka Mooka
9HookerEmma Manzelmann
10PropTiana Raftstrand-Smith
11Second-rowShaniah Power
12Second-rowBree Chester
13LockMakenzie Weale
8PropTallisha Harden (c)
18LockSera Koroi
21PropApril Ngatapuna
24WingVitalina Naikore
CoachBen Jeffries

Players of the Year

The North Queensland Cowboys player of the year award winners since 2023.

NameYear
Emma Manzelmann2023
Bree Chester2024
Bree Chester2025

Seasons

Season Regular Season Finals
P W D L F A Pts Pos Top Placing
2023 92071332664 9th 4 -
2024 94051372188 6th 4 -
2025 1170418617614 4th 6 Semi Finalist

2026 Draw

The draw for the 2026 season was announced on 14 November 2025.[23][24][25]

RoundOpponentScoreDateTimeVenue
1 BroncosSat 4 Jul 20265:15 PMAwaySuncorp Stadium
2 TigersSat 11 Jul 202612:45 PMHomeQueensland Country Bank Stadium
3 WarriorsSat 18 Jul 20263:15 PMAwayGo Media Stadium
4 TitansSat 25 Jul 20265:15 PMHome Queensland Country Bank Stadium
5 RaidersSat 1 Aug 20264:15 PMNeutralGeohex Stadium, Wagga Wagga
6 BulldogsSat 8 Aug 202612:45 PMAwayBelmore Sports Ground
7 SharksSun 16 Aug 20266:15 PMHome Queensland Country Bank Stadium
8 DragonsSat 22 Aug 20265:15 PMAwayAllianz Stadium
9 KnightsSat 29 Aug 20265:15 PMHome Queensland Country Bank Stadium
10 RoostersSat 5 Sep 20263:15 PMHomeQueensland Country Bank Stadium
11 EelsSat 12 Sep 202612:00 PMAwayCommBank Stadium

Head-to-head records

OpponentFirst meetingPWDLPFPAWin %Share %
Titans22 July 20233201373266.67%86.48%
Knights30 July 20233102438433.33%51.19%
Broncos5 Aug 20233003281280.00%21.87%
Tigers12 Aug 202333007042100.00%60.00%
Sharks19 Aug 20234103448825.00%50.00%
Eels26 Aug 20233102324633.33%69.56%
Dragons2 Sep 20233201949666.67%97.96%
Raiders10 Sep 20233201645266.67%66.67%
Roosters16 Sep 2023300328940.00%29.78%
Warriors3 Aug 202510016120%50.00%
Bulldogs17 Aug 20251100226100.00%36.66%
Totals22 July 2023301301746868043.33%63.04%

Notes

  • Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.
  • Clubs listed in the order than the Cowboys Women first played them.
  • Last updated: 7 November 2025

Players

2026 NRLW Squad

North Queensland Cowboys 2026 NRLW Squad
NRLW Squad – 2026 season Development list Coaching Staff

Extended squad

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 2 December 2025
Source(s): NQ Cowboys


2026 Gains and Losses

Coaches

NoCoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWin %
1Ben Jeffries2023920722%
2Ricky Henry2024–211101055%

Club records

Win Loss Record since entering the NRLW in 2023

GamesWinsDrawnLossPoints ForPoints Against+/-Win %
3013017474668-19443.33

First Try and Last Try

Who scored the first try and most recent try for the Cowboys.

Name Round Opponent Venue Year
Emma ManzelmannRound 1 Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium2023
Bree ChesterElimination Final Cronulla SharksQueensland Country Bank Stadium2025

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margin

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
2842-14 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium6 September 2025
2626-0 Canberra RaidersQueensland Country Bank Stadium26 July 2025
2230-8 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval24 August 2025
1622-6 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsQueensland Country Bank Stadium17 August 2025
1420-6 Gold Coast TitansQueensland Country Bank Stadium05 July 2025
1131-20 Newcastle KnightsBelmore Sports Ground30 July 2023
1028-18 Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium24 Aug 2024
416-12 Wests TigersTotally Workwear Stadium12 August 2023
438-34 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium4 August 2024
414-10 Parramatta EelsCommBank Stadium10 August 2025

Biggest losing margin

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
464–50 Brisbane BroncosTotally Workwear Stadium13 September 2025
3216-48 St. George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium2 September 2023
326-38 Newcastle KnightsQueensland Country Bank Stadium21 September 2024
300-30 Sydney RoostersQueensland Country Bank Stadium30 August 2025
2812-40 Brisbane BroncosQueensland Country Bank Stadium5 August 2023
2812-40 Cronulla SharksQueensland Country Bank Stadium19 August 2023
2612-38 Brisbane BroncosTotally Workwear Stadium1 September 2024
2416-40 Sydney RoostersNetstrata Jubilee Stadium16 September 2023
2212-34 Canberra RaidersCbus Super Stadium10 September 2023
206-26 Newcastle KnightsQueensland Country Bank Stadium12 July 2025

Most consecutive wins

  • 3 – (10 August 2025 – 24 August 2025)

Most consecutive losses

  • 6 – (19 August 2023 – 27 July 2024)

Biggest Comeback

Worst Collapse

Individual records

Career

Lists and tables last updated: 28 September 2025.

Most points for the Cowboys (20+)

Player2026 ClubMTGFGPoints
1. Kirra Dibb274580134
2. Jasmine Peters30120048
3. Jakiya Whitfeld18100040
4. Francesca Goldthorp2890036
5. Emma Manzelmann3064032
6. Krystal Blackwell2770028
7. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith2060024
8. Vitalina Naikore-1150020
9. Bree Chester2940016
10. China Polata1730012

Most points in a game (10+)

PlayerDate & YearOpponentVenueTGFGPoints
Kirra DibbSunday August 24 2025 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval15014
Kirra DibbSaturday September 6 2025 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium07014
Kirra DibbSunday August 4 2024 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium05010
Kirra DibbSaturday September 20 2025 Cronulla SharksQueensland Country Bank Stadium13010

Most Tries in a game

PlayerDate & YearOpponentVenueT
Vitalina Naikore30 July 2023 Newcastle KnightsBelmore Sports Ground2
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith4 August 2024 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium2
Jakiya Whitfeld4 August 2024 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium2
Vitalina Naikore24 August 2024 Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium2
Jasmine Peters24 August 2024 Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium2
Krystal Blackwell26 July 2025 Canberra RaidersQueensland Country Bank Stadium2
Abigail Roache26 July 2025 Canberra RaidersQueensland Country Bank Stadium2
Francesca Goldthorp10 August 2025 Parramatta EelsCommBank Stadium2
Francesca Goldthorp6 September 2025 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium2

Most Goals in a game

PlayerDate & YearOpponentVenueG
Kirra Dibb6 September 2025 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium7
Kirra Dibb4 August 2024 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium5
Kirra Dibb24 August 2025 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval5
Kirra Dibb7 September 2024 Wests TigersQueensland Country Bank Stadium4
Kirra Dibb17 August 2025 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsQueensland Country Bank Stadium4
Kirra Dibb30 July 2023 Newcastle KnightsBelmore Sports Ground3
Kirra Dibb20 September 2025 Cronulla SharksQueensland Country Bank Stadium3

Most Tries in a Season for the Cowboys

PlayerSeasonTries
Jakiya Whitfeld20246
Francesca Goldthorp20256
Krystal Blackwell20255
Jasmine Peters20255
Jasmine Peters20244
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith20244
Jakiya Whitfeld20254
Emma Manzelmann20233
Vitalina Naikore20233
Jasmine Peters20233
Emma Manzelmann20253
Abigail Roache20253

Most points in a season (16+)

PlayerSeasonMTGFGPoints
Kirra Dibb20259222052
Kirra Dibb20249118141
Kirra Dibb20239118141
Francesca Goldthorp20251260024
Krystal Blackwell20251250020
Emma Manzelmann20251234020
Jasmine Peters2024940016
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith2024840016

Season

Most Points

Most Tries

Match

Most Points

Most Tries

Most Goals

Oldest and youngest players

The oldest and youngest players to represent the North Queensland Cowboys women's team in the NRLW

! NameAgeYear
Tallisha Harden32 and 62 days2024
Lily Peacock18 and 54 days2023

Representative honours

National team representatives

PlayerClub DebutCountryInternational
Debut		YearsRef
Essay Banu12 Aug 2023 Papua New Guinea1 Nov 20222023–2025[26]
Jetaya Faifua22 Jul 2023 Samoa19 Oct 20242024[27]
Sera Koroi22 Jul 2023 Papua New Guinea1 Nov 20222023[26]
Shellie Long22 Jul 2023 Papua New Guinea1 Nov 20222023[26]
Ana Malupo19 Jul 2025 Tonga19 Oct 20242025
Emma Manzelmann22 Jul 2023 Australia28 Oct 20232023[26]
Sareka Mooka22 Jul 2023 Papua New Guinea22 Oct 20232023–2024[26][27]
Vitalina Naikore22 Jul 2023 Fiji15 Oct 20232023–2024[28][27]
China Polata22 Jul 2023 Tonga25 Jun 20222023[26]
Jessikah Reeves12 Aug 2023 Papua New Guinea1 Nov 20222023[26]
Abigail Roache5 Jul 2025 New Zealand10 Nov 20222025[29]
Merewalesi Rokouono16 Sep 2023 Fiji15 Oct 20232023[28]
Lavinia Tauhalaliku1 Sep 2024 Tonga25 Jun 20222024[27]
Jazmon Tupou-Witchman15 Sep 2024 Cook Islands2 Nov 20222024[27]
Jakiya Whitfeld27 Jul 2024 Australia28 Oct 20232024–2025[27][29]

Notes:

  • International Debut dates in bold indicate that the player made her first international appearance prior to playing for the North Queensland Cowboys NRLW team.

Women's State of Origin representatives

Past and current players that have played for Queensland and New South Wales in the State of Origin.

Player State Year(s)
Emma ManzelmannQueensland2024
Jasmine PetersQueensland2025
Makenzie WealeQueensland2024–2025
China PolataQueensland2023
Shaniah PowerQueensland2023

Prime Minister's XIII representatives

Past and current players that have been selected to play in the Prime Minister's XIII.

Player Year(s)
Tallisha Harden2023
Emma Manzelmann2023
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith2023
China Polata2023
Kirra Dibb2024 – 2025
Lily Peacock2024
Bree Chester2024 – 2025
Krystal Blackwell2024
Makenzie Weale2025

All-Stars Representatives

Past and current players that have played for the Indigenous All-Stars or for the Māori All-Stars.

Indigenous All Stars

Player Year(s)
Jasmine Peters2023, 2025, 2026
Tahlulah Tillett2023
Bree Chester2025 – 2026
Tallisha Harden2024 – 2026
Kirra Dibb2023 – 2025
Essay Banu2023, 2025, 2026

Māori All Stars

Player Year(s)
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith2025
Najvada George2025

Stadium

References

External links

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