The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have signed reigning NRLW Dally M Winger of the Year Jakiya Whitfeld on a three-year deal beginning in 2024.
The 22-year-old was a breakout sensation for the Wests Tigers in 2023.
Whitfeld registered an almost unfathomable 70 tackle breaks, the third most in the competition, in just nine games, including 16 alone in Round 2 against the Sharks.
She also averaged an enormous 157 running metres per game and finished with four tries and 10 line-breaks.
Whitfeld’s remarkable chase on Roosters superstar Isabelle Kelly to save a certain try was voted NRLW Tackle of the Year in 2023.
A former Australian Rugby 7s star, Whitfeld moved to rugby league in 2022, making her NRLW debut for the Knights the same season before moving to the Wests Tigers in 2023.
Whitfeld was today called into the Jilaroos squad ahead of their clash with the Kiwi Ferns in Melbourne next weekend.
“This is exciting for the Cowboys,” Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries said.
“To attract a player of Jakiya’s qualities on and off the field proves to us we’re heading in the right direction as a club.
“Jakiya is highly competitive with fantastic speed and agility. She also embraces being out in the community which is important to us here at the Cowboys.
“Jakiya wants to become one of the best outside backs in the NRLW and will immediately come in and compete with our current group in the centre and fullback positions.
“Finally, we love our players playing at the highest level and we know Jakiya has a strong desire to play more representative football after a taste of the PM’s XIII arena recently against the PNG Orchids.”
