Welcome back to the Goosestep!
Well we haven’t done one of these for a while. But with the NRL team on the horizon, people are wondering if WA has the talent to support an NRL side in both the Men’s and the Women’s game. And here at the Goosestep we are here to answer the question.
10 players will be listed below. In no particular order. And we have followed a few rules
- Must be under 30 years old.
- Must be playing senior tackle rugby league in the Westpac Women’s Rugby League Competition at the time this article is written.
- Must be In our state squad in 2025, or played senior representative rugby league for Western Australia in the past at any level (U18 Schoolgirls, U19s, Women’s)
Yes unfortunately we are unable to include NRL W player Anneka Stephens, and some brilliant rugby league players such as Kailey Thompson, Kateraina Horner and Claudia Foster, but lets have a crack anyway. While there are many brilliant players, we can’t include everyone!
Photo – Willagee Bears Rugby League Club Facebook
Willagee Bears – Ruby Hodgson – Hooker
Off the bat we go with the rocket from dummy half, Ruby Hodgson. A threat from dummy half from anywhere, Ruby is super fit, contains no fear and will probe opposition defences all day long. Already making a name for herself in the local competition only after a handful of games, she is constantly testing defences with sniping runs after quick play the balls. A willing and capable defender, Ruby is a natural talent who wouldn’t look out of place in an elite program.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Joondalup Giants – Zion Taurima – Outside Backs
“Zoom” Taurima is a finishing machine and electric outside back from the Giants. In last years grand final, she was a devastating force, playing outside Stephens in what was a virtuoso performance. Blessed with speed, balance and beautiful footwork, Zion is a horrible matchup for any defender. In defence, she is tougher than she looks, and her speed allows her to match up with any wide ball runners with ease. Fast, with a brutal streak, given the chance she would be impressive in any system.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – Mahinarangi Clair – Halves/Hooker/Lock
Enjoying a bit of a renaissance in 2025, Mahi is in the form of her life at the moment. Producing some brilliant performances for the Rabbitohs on top of playing a starring role in the ANZAC game, she has come back fit and firing and looks in for a big season. Starting off as a hooker in her junior years, she then moved into the forwards, before coming back into the halves and can literally do it all. A capable ball player who is a threatening presence at the line, she also hits like a freight train in defence and takes no prisoners on either side of the ball.
Photo – Liam Sallur
Fremantle Roosters – Nina Rutene – Centre/Fullback
Reliable and safe, Nina has really grown as a player from year to year. Seen as a raw talent in previous years, with good speed and ball playing ability, she has blossomed into a power running outside back, who can hot foot with the best of them, while being able to mark some of the toughest ball runners in the game. Possessing a good show and go, with a rare eye for spotting a weak link in the defensive line. Is the type of player Elite clubs would love to work with, as is very coachable.
Photo – NRL 2024 Women’s Nationals
Willagee Bears – Brianna Young – Centre/Second Row
One of the most explosive players in the competition, Brianna is probably the best edge runner in WA. Powerful and fast, she is a brilliant mix of strength and speed as she routinely causes problems for opposition defences. A rugged ball runner, who has a low centre of gravity and a quick play the ball expert, she attracts defenders is regularly leaves multiple defenders in her wake. Having grown every year, she is one of the most likely candidates to benefit from a possible professional team in the near future.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Joondalup Giants -Tyrah Parekura-Schirnack – Hooker/Halfback
Young, strong and with plenty of room to grow, the talent is obvious for those to see. A strong player in the middle of the ground with above average pace, and the ability to bump off the first defender, it isn’t an issue of ability. Fitness and availability have plagued Tyrah in recent years, after a brilliant debut year as an 18 year old in 2023. But with a professional program on the horizon in the near future, could this be the mark that Tyrah is looking for to take it to the next level?
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – Freida Ah Sam – Front Row
A dangerous ball runner, with speed to really make it hurt, Freida might be the most frightening player in full flight in WA. Extremely tough with an amazing burst of speed for someone of her size, she showed at Nationals last year that she can cause issues for even the strongest of defensive lines. Fitness and effort on defence have constantly been areas she has worked hard on, and will need to push into the future. But if you need someone for a tough yards carry, you couldn’t do much better than Frieda.
Photo – CAS Photography
Fremantle Roosters – Beth Norton – Halves
Potentially one of the future stars in our competition, Beth hadn’t really played any tackle rugby league till she starred for the U18 Schoolgirls in 2023, and has kicked on to being one of the really interesting prospects. Still very young, she possesses a great passing and kicking game, and while not super strong in contact, has great footwork and the ability to find a gap. Getting better every game, learning from the likes of Thompson, Clair at state, and Jenaya Paul and Tiana Graham at club, Norton can control her own destiny moving forward.
Photo – CAS Photography
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – Ariana Ruru-Hinaki – Fullback
Little Ari, as she is affectionately known, is one of the most talented outside backs we have seen in WA. Quick, skilful and strong, she is also two things that every team looks for in a fullback. Safe as houses and super super fit. She is always in the game, where it seems there are two of her on the field, and her ability to dismantle high balls and kicks along the ground make her almost the perfect player to put in your back three and know she will do a great job.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Willagee Bears – Chloe Amataiti – Second Row
Chloe Amataiti has transitioned into the Women’s and instantly become another weapon for the Willagee Bears to use on their edge. Big, strong and aggresive, Chloe is a powerful member of the Bears pack. While only young, she uses her size well and knows when to initiate contact on her own terms. A brutal hitter in defence, she is a player players are always looking to avoid when on a searching run at the Bears defensive line.
And that’s 10, and while we could put in so many other players, we do have to stop somewhere. But feel free to come up with your own lists. At the end of the day, we want to give more props to our local players, whether male, female, junior or senior. The more rugby league we can get the better.
Keep your eyes open as the Goosestep gives a shout out to some of our other players, maybe even juniors, moving forward.