BY VIV

The Raiders have announced that Grace Kemp will be taking up her player option to stay at the club in 2024. The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise with Kemp on record as being enthusiastic about her time at the club and has previously commented on the vast difference in the support female athletes get in the NRLW compared to rugby union.

Kemp came to the Raiders from rugby union signing a two-year deal with the second year being a player option to keep the door open for a return to the Brumbies if the NRLW didn’t work out. Luckily for everyone, it did work out with Grace having a successful “rookie” season playing every game for the Raiders, and becoming a fan favourite. At 22 years old, she can only improve her rugby league game smarts and be a player who leads our forward pack. She has ambition for rep footy going into the Indigenous All-Stars camp last week and has been vocal about wanting to play origin. Players like Kemp are crucial in showing that Canberra is a destination for NRLW players and help the club sign some big name players.

It has been a big couple of months for re-signings in the NRLW, the Roosters and Knights have locked up almost all of their star players, the Cowboys signing the ACT’s own Jakiya Whitfeld, and St George re-signing six of their players including Teagan Berry. The Broncos have nabbed Keilee Joseph from the Roosters. Kemp’s signing has been the only news coming out of the Raiders since the end of the season.

As it stands, the Raiders who have contracts for next year are:

Felice Quinlan, Mackenzie Wiki, Madi Bartlett, Apii Nicholls, Ash Quinlan, Chante Temara, Zahara Temara, Grace Kemp, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Monalisa Soliola, Simaima Taufa, Sophie Holyman

All players above have contracts up to 2024 only. 

Felice Quinlan should debut in the centres after missing this year with an ankle injury. Hollie-Mae Dodd should be good to return from her ACL for next season. The biggest name missing from that list is Cheyelle Robins-Reti, after winning Rookie of the Year for season 2023 you would hope her signing news isn’t too far away. I’m hoping that we can sign Emma Barnes for another year to support our halves, the team missed her when she was injured this year.

Next season the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season will move to align with the NRLW allowing players not in the main squad to continue playing and maintain match fitness. The Raiders won’t have a team in this competition but will maintain their links with Mounties as a feeder team allowing our players to maintain match fitness and your correspondent to become a state cup sicko.

So that is where the NRLW squad stands, hopefully, we have more news soon and can start dreaming about how the 2024 squad will be winning the comp.

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