The North Queensland girls have had a dream start to the 2025 NRLW season, securing the win at home over the Titans on Saturday, 20 to 6.
It comes after North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ricky Henry reduced his squad to 19 – dropping Ana Malupo, Tafao Asaua and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith.
The new signings are already making their mark, including new centers Jakiya Whitfeld and Abigail Roache, with Whitfeld getting on the score sheet on her debut at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
North Queensland Cowboys NRLW Squad breakdown 2025
North Queensland will roll out a new-look spine on Saturday with four representative stars joining forces to steer the Cowboys in 2025. Meet the squad and find out more about every player.
Patrick Woodsfollow
5 min read
July 3, 2025 – 5:39PM2 Comments
North Queensland Cowboys NRLW Squad breakdown 2025.
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North Queensland will unveil a new-look spine on Saturday with four representative stars joining forces to steer the Cowboys in 2025.
Cowboys co-captains Kirra Dibb and Emma Manzelmann will be joined by New Zealand recruit Rosie Kelly at five-eighth while Jillaroos winger Jakiya Whitfeld will play just her second NRLW game in the No.1 jersey in her 21st appearance.
After 15 straight games with Tahlulah Tillett as her halves partner, Dibb said she was looking forward to the fresh combinations.
“Our spine has really built well together, and I think it was really competitive for the jerseys throughout,” Dibb said.
“So many girls are able to play our positions. So the good thing for us is that there’s depth coming through, there’s always going to be someone biting at our heels, and our connection in the team is fantastic.
“We started our trial game with that spine, and it worked really smoothly, so it’s only going to build throughout the season.”
Kirra Dibb of the North Queensland Cowboys poses for a portrait during the 2025 NRL Women’s Premiership Media Launch at Rugby League Central on June 30, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Manzelmann was announced as co-captain on Tuesday night, taking over from veteran forward Tallisha Harden – who will start in the backrow in round 1 but has relinquished her leadership role in 2025.
The Mackay-born hooker said the chemistry would be strong among North Queensland’s spine of chief playmakers.
“We have had a good pre-season, and no matter what mix Rick (Henry, head coach) has thrown at us, we’ve sort of jelled together,” Manzelmann said.
“So Rosie has fitted into our spine really well and I’m excited to see how Jakiya goes at fullback.”
Head online to find out more about every North Queensland NRLW player.
Find out more about every North Queensland NRLW player below.
OUTSIDE BACKS
Ana Malupo, Ebony Raftstrand-Smith, Fran Goldthorp, Jakiya Whitfeld, Krystal Blackwell
Once again, all eyes were on the battle for the No.1 jersey with three strong options putting their hands up ahead of round 1.
Whitfeld ultimately beat out incumbent fullback Goldthorp – who takes a place on the wing – and utility back Krystal Blackwell for the role.
Krystal Blackwell and Jakiya Whitfield.
Goldthorp and Blackwell will provide great spark and some ballplaying ability on each edge.
But the battle is certainly not over and competition for spots will be fiercer than ever with Tongan test bolter Ana Malupo developing at a rapid rate.
Still yet to make her NRLW debut, the rising gun made a big impact when thrown in at fullback during the second half of this year’s trial match against the Titans, making a memorable trysaving tackle on Gold Coast superstar Jaime Chapman late in the game.
Raftstrand-Smith made her NRLW debut in round 2 last year but will start the season in the BMD Premiership with the Mackay Cutters.
CENTRES
Abigail Roache, Jasmine Peters, Jennifer Kimber (development player), Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly (development player)
Queensland State of Origin star Peters will be joined by Kiwi Ferns representative Roache, locking down each edge as the clear first-choice options for coach Ricky Henry.
Abigail Roache of the Knights attempts to break away from the defence during the 2023 NRLW Grand Final match between Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans at Accor Stadium, on October 01, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Roache joined the squad during the off-season after two season with Newcastle, and she has also played for New Zealand on eight occasions.
The pair will both be important mentors for development backs Kimber and Stephens-Daly, who are at different ends of the experience spectrum.
Kimber is an up-and-coming centre who scored a try a fortnight ago for Queensland in the under-19s State of Origin clash, while 28-year-old Stephens Daly returns for another crack at the NRLW after playing three games for the Cowboys in 2023.
HALVES
Kirra Dibb, Rosie Kelly, Tahlulah Tillett, Caitlin Tanner (development player)
Rugby union convert Kelly came to the Cowboys from the Chiefs to add competition to the halves, and she certainly delivered on that promise.
Typically a flyhalf in the 15-player code, Kelly is known for her impressive running game. A fantastic stint to begin the Cowboys’ trial match a fortnight ago was enough for her to get the nod in round 1.
“Rosie is an incredible runner. A very typical five-eighth, I would say,” Dibb said.
“She also brings a very fresh perspective. She’s obviously come from a rugby background – her first year in the NRLW was last year – so I think her ability to just see something in front of her and take it is something really refreshing.”
Tahlulah Tillett of the Cowboys in action during the round five NRLW match between Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys at GIO Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Kelly won’t be able to rest on her laurels though, Tillett will be intent on winning back her spot in the side.
Rising young gun Tanner, 19, will continue to develop her game as part of the squad and in the BMD Premiership with Mackay. The talented half has represented the QLD under-19s in back-to-back years.
HOOKERS / UTILITIES
Emma Manzelmann, Alisha Foord
Emma Manzelmann of the Cowboys in action during the round three NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels at Totally Workwear Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)
Manzelmann takes over the co-captaincy this year, becoming the second-youngest skipper in the club’s history just behind Tom Dearden.
The Cowboys pocket rocket will work in tandem with Townsville junior Alisha Foord.
“It’s something that you dream of, but not something that you’d really think would come true. Obviously when I was a kid, NRLW wasn’t a thing,” Manzelmann said.
“Captaining the team that you grew up supporting, it’s very special.
“She (Foord) challenges me in areas as well as helps me and guides me in others. The same as what I give to her.
“We’re just a pair that works together. So when I need a spell, she comes on, or she’ll start it and I’ll come on.”
MIDDLE FORWARDS
Bree Chester, Essay Banu, Lillian Yarrow, Lily Peacock, Makenzie Weale, Najvada George, Tafao Asaua, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Last season’s Cowboys NRLW Player of the Year, Chester, will once again be leaned on to play big minutes at lock.
Bree Chester of the Cowboys warms up before the round five NRLW match between Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys at GIO Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Known for her incredible defensive efforts, Chester will be joined in the middle by Maroons prop Weale and 21-year-old Rockhampton junior Yarrow.
Yarrow has added some size to her imposing frame and impressed during the Cowboys’ trial match.
The starting trio will have plenty of pressure to perform with five fantastic prospects knocking on the door of selection.
Proserpine Brahmans junior Peacock catapulted into the senior Queensland Maroons squad last year after catching selector’s eyes with her fearless play.
Barnstorming Banu and crafty ballplaying middle forward George round out the interchange in round 1, with Tiana Raftstrand-Smith sure to figure into the equation soon after being one of the team’s standouts in 2024.
Giant prop Tafau ‘Big T’ Asaua stands at 189cm, making her one of the biggest players in the competition.
Asaua has represented Samoa internationally, and quickly earnt herself a spot in North Queensland’s top 24 this pre-season after impressing coaches on the training paddock.
EDGE FORWARDS
Hailee-Jay Ormond Maunsell, China Polata, Lily Dick, Tallisha Harden, Tayla Curtis (development player)
Cowboys recruit Ormond-Maunsell and veteran Tallisha Harden will lock down the edges in round 1.
Although she’s only 21, the talented backrower or centre brings plenty of experience to the team.
2025 North Queensland Cowboys NRLW recruit Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell pictured during her time with the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous
Ormond-Maunsell made her NRLW debut for the Gold Coast way back in 2021, amassing 11 games across four injury-affected seasons with the Titans.
Dibb said the Invercargill junior – who will likely pair with the halfback on the left edge – had a very high ceiling.
“She’s a really promising player. Once again, backrow is another one of those positions that we have so much depth in now,” Dibb said.
“Hailee and I have played a few minutes together, and it’s worked really, really smooth.
“Fantastic young player. She’s got a fair amount of experience behind her, so a very, very promising year ahead for her as well.”
Rugby 7s convert Dick and the versatile Polata have both shown the potential to be NRLW stars while Curtis inches close to her debut after being named as the Dragons’ 18th player last year when St George played the Cowboys in Townsville.
