The North Queensland Cowboys have gone on a re-signing spree with the retention of seven players including English fullback Fran Goldthorp and prop Makenzie Weale.
Weale has signed on until the end of 2027, veteran Tallisha Harden re-signs for 2025, Goldthorp for three more years until 2027, sisters Tiana and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith until 2027, PNG International Essay Banu until the end of 2026 and teenager Ana Malupo earning a promotion to the top 24.
The retention of Harden allows the Cowboys to keep a veteran on the roster and guide the young generation.
For Weale, 2025 is a chance to bounce back and make her name known again after she missed most of the 2024 season due to concussion issues.
Goldthorp has been a pillar at fullback or other backline spots in her two years at the club and gets to stay on.
Also earning a starting spot was Banu, who worked hard to make the spot her own and impress coach Ricky Henry.
The Raftstrand sisters are both still young and have bright futures with Ebony scoring five tries in 16 games and Tiana looking to build on her one game to date in the NRLW.
Malupo is added to the club’s top 24 after the Northern Territory product spent the 2024 season on a Development List contract.
Coach Ricky Henry backs all seven players to be key for the side in 2025 and beyond.
“All seven of these women have had significant influence on and off the field in our club’s first two seasons in the NRLW,” Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ricky Henry said.
“Tallisha, Makenzie, Fran, Tiana and Essay are all established members of our squad, while we believe Ebony and Ana will play important roles for our NRLW squad in the near future.”
