The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are closing in on finalising its inaugural NRLW squad after announcing five more signings this morning.
North Queensland have agreed to contracts with Libby Surha, Lily Peacock, Lillian Yarrow, Shaylee Joseph and Krystal Blackwell for 2023 and beyond.
A product of the Mackay Cutters pathway, Surha has enjoyed a rapid rise to the NRLW. She starred at the 2022 Women’s National Championships before being identified for both the Indigenous AIS camp and Prime Minister’s XIII team. A deceptively quick centre, the 19-year-old was named Rookie of the Year for the Mackay Cutters in the BMD Premiership this season.
Still just 17, Peacock hails from the Whitsundays region and also came through the Mackay Cutters pathways before graduating to the BMD Premiership this season. A tall middle forward, Peacock will begin her Cowboys tenure as a development player in 2023 before graduating to the top squad for 2024 and 2025.
>>> Cowboys NRLW signings tracker
A Central Queensland product, Yarrow made her BMD Premiership debut for the CQ Capras earlier this season. A 19-year-old prop, Yarrow was a member of the Australian Schoolgirls side in 2022. Unfortunately Yarrow recently suffered an ACL injury, but she will have ample time to make her mark at the Cowboys after agreeing to a three-year deal.
A fellow 2022 Australian Schoolgirls front-rower, Joseph played the 2023 NSW Harvey Norman Women’s season with the Central Coast Roosters. The 18-year-old is the sister of Jillaroos and Origin star Keilee and has moved north to pave her own pathway in the NRLW.
Player of the match in the recent NSWRL Country Championships final, Blackwell was also named in the Women’s Nationals team of the carnival. The speedster is equally at home as a fullback, half or a bench utility.
“We’re excited to add all five of these girls to our squad for our inaugural 2023 season and beyond,” Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries said.
“All five are young players who we believe will have bright futures in the game.”
