The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have exercised club options for 2026 on forwards Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Tafao Asaua.
North Queensland have also promoted Tayla Curtis from the Development List to the Top 24 on a two-year contract and signed Townsville product Sian Williams to a Top 24 contract for the next two years.
Ormond-Maunsell nailed down a regular spot in Ricky Henry’s 17 in her maiden season in North Queensland, starting three games in the second row and a further seven from the interchange.
Asaua arrived in North Queensland on a Development List contract for 2025 after playing two games for Parramatta in 2024.
The 20-year-old prop quickly earned an upgrade and made her club debut from the interchange in a Round 7 victory over the Bulldogs.
A former St George Illawarra Dragon, Curtis spent the 2025 season playing for the Northern Pride in the BMD Premiership, where she enjoyed a stellar campaign.
The 22-year-old second-rower averaged a mammoth 149 running metres a game for the Pride, topping 200 metres in a Round 7 win over the Norths Devils.
Williams came through North Queensland pathways before earning a BMD Premiership contract with the Pride for 2025.
Williams scored nine tries and broke 39 tackles, while appearing in all 13 games for the Pride.
“Hailee is a player with immense potential and ability and she's shown incredible resilience in overcoming multiple shoulder injuries. I expect her to have the best season of her career in 2026,” Henry said.
“Having been upgraded to the Top 24 in 2025, Tafao has the potential to become one of the NRLW's top middles. I’m very excited to see her progression in 2026.
“Tayla made an immediate impact in the BMD competition playing for the Northern Pride. She's versatile, aggressive, athletic and has the ability to play multiple positions.
“As one of our first Elite Pathway graduates, Sian has an excellent attitude and is tenacious, quick and powerful. She'll proudly represent North Queensland and inspire our next generation of female players from the region.”
The Cowboys have also released prop Najvada George from the final year of her contract on compassionate grounds.
