Four integral members of the inaugural North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRLW squad have extended their stays with the club.
Winger-turned middle forward China Polata and half Krystal Blackwell have re-signed for two seasons running through 2025, while the Cowboys have exercised one-year options for half Tahlulah Tillett and fullback Fran Goldthorp for 2024.
Polata was a key cog for North Queensland in 2023, beginning the season on the wing, before moving to middle forward late in the campaign. The 21-year-old made her State of Origin debut for the Maroons in the second game of the series last season.
Blackwell was another who also showed off her versatility in 2023. The 21-year-old started at five-eighth in the opening three rounds, before finishing the season on the wing.
Cairns junior Tillett missed the start of the Cowboys’ maiden campaign through injury, but solidified herself as first-choice five-eighth by the back end of the season. The 25-year-old was named the NRL’s Veronica White Medalist for her community work at the Dally M Awards.
English International Goldthorp was a standout in the No.1 jersey in her first season in the NRLW. The 21-year-old averaged an enormous 144 running metres a game, which was comfortably the most of any Cowboy.
“These four women played hugely important roles both on the field and building culture for our first ever NRLW squad,” Cowboys Head of NRLW and Women’s Elite Pathways Anita Creenaune said.
“We are delighted China and Krystal have decided to re-sign with our club. Both showed the ability to play in multiple positions and at just 21 their best football is in front of them.
“It was an easy decision to exercise the options on Tahlulah and Fran’s contracts.
“After an injury-interrupted start, Tahlulah fought her way into the side and forged a strong partnership with Kirra Dibb in the halves. As her Veronica White Medal win suggests, Tahlulah’s importance to our club stretches far further than just on the field.
“Fran was one of our best every week and her bubbly personality adds a huge amount of energy to our squad.”
