Introducing our 𝑪𝒐-𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 for the 2025 NRLW season 🐴🔥 Full details

 

**Introducing Our 𝑪𝒐-𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 for the 2025 NRLW Season 🐴🔥**

 

In what promises to be a defining year for the club, we are proud to unveil our leaders for the 2025 NRLW season — our Co-Captains: **Tahlia Matiu** and **Keira “KJ” Jennings**.

 

These two powerhouses will share the armband, each bringing a unique voice and vision to the team as we gear up for what is expected to be one of the most competitive seasons in league history. With leadership built on courage, clarity, and connection, Tahlia and Keira will guide our squad as we chase glory, unity, and legacy.

 

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### 🐴 **Tahlia Matiu – The Heartbeat of the Pack**

 

Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, Tahlia Matiu has spent the last four seasons establishing herself as one of the NRLW’s most consistent and admired forwards. At 27, Tahlia is entering the prime of her career — and the timing couldn’t be better. A relentless workhorse on the field and a calming presence off it, Tahlia represents the quiet strength that holds teams together.

 

Her stats speak for themselves — over 2,000 run metres in 2024, a tackle efficiency of 91%, and leadership moments that don’t show up on paper. Whether it’s the clutch play in the dying minutes or a quiet word to lift a teammate mid-game, Tahlia delivers.

 

But it’s not just numbers. It’s presence. “Tahlia doesn’t need to raise her voice,” says Head Coach Brendon Kale. “She commands respect by being the first to train, the last to leave, and the one who always steps forward when things get tough. She’s the anchor and the engine.”

 

In a heartfelt address to the team during preseason, Tahlia emphasized what being named Co-Captain meant to her.

 

> “This jersey means everything. I play for my family, my culture, and every little girl who’s told the game isn’t for her. Wearing the ‘C’ is an honour, but leading this group — that’s the real privilege.”

 

Tahlia’s journey hasn’t been without adversity. A shoulder reconstruction in 2022 almost derailed her career. But her comeback in 2023 was the stuff of legend, capped with a Player’s Player award and nomination for the Veronica White Medal for community service.

 

Now, as Co-Captain, her eyes are firmly on one thing: **a premiership**.

 

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### 🔥 **Keira “KJ” Jennings – The Spark and the Spearhead**

 

If Tahlia is the heartbeat, then Keira Jennings is the fire. The 23-year-old fullback from the Gold Coast burst onto the NRLW scene in 2023 with speed, flair, and fearlessness. Nicknamed “KJ” by teammates, her meteoric rise has been nothing short of spectacular — and now, she’s the youngest captain in the club’s history.

 

With her trademark sidestep, line breaks, and fearless kick returns, KJ has electrified fans and rattled defences. But behind the highlight reels is a sharp football brain and a natural-born leader. Always vocal, always engaged, KJ is a communicator, motivator, and master tactician.

 

Coach Kale explains: “KJ brings an intensity and focus that raises the standard for everyone. She’s a student of the game, and at just 23, she’s already shaping the way we play.”

 

Her leadership was cemented during the 2024 season when she stepped in as acting captain during an injury-ridden stretch — leading the team to a gutsy three-game win streak and finishing the season with the highest try involvement in the league.

 

> “I don’t care how old I am,” said KJ when told of her selection. “Leadership isn’t about age — it’s about action. I’ve always believed you lead with your energy, and I’ll give this team everything I’ve got, every game.”

 

Known for her passion, sharp wit, and emotional connection with fans, KJ has become a face of the future — and now, as Co-Captain, she’s officially one of the team’s pillars.

 

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### 💬 **Leadership Built on Balance**

 

Why Co-Captains? The answer lies in the club’s evolving philosophy — one that recognises leadership comes in many forms. By naming both Tahlia and KJ, the club is embracing balance: experience and youth, power and pace, steadiness and spark.

 

General Manager of Football, Louise Carmichael, explains: “This isn’t about compromise. It’s about combining two powerful leaders who represent different parts of our club’s DNA. Tahlia represents resilience, humility, and enduring excellence. KJ embodies innovation, boldness, and boundless potential. Together, they’ll carry us into a new era.”

 

The decision also comes after a season-long leadership development program initiated in early 2024. Players and staff voted, coaches consulted, and mentors weighed in — the outcome: a dynamic duo ready to lead from the front.

 

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### 🧠 **More Than a Game**

 

Both Co-Captains are equally committed to leadership off the field. Tahlia is an ambassador for Māori youth programs and regularly hosts wellbeing workshops for junior athletes. KJ is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has launched a community program aimed at supporting teenage girls in sport.

 

Their leadership extends beyond the scoreboard, reaching into the hearts of fans and the lives of young women across the country.

 

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### 🏆 **The Road Ahead**

 

With the 2025 season looming, the mood in camp is electric. New signings have added depth, the squad is healthier than ever, and belief is running high.

 

For Tahlia and KJ, the mission is clear:

 

> “We’ve got the team. We’ve got the drive. Now we go after the legacy.”

 

Round 1 kicks off in just weeks. And when our team takes the field, they’ll do so under the guidance of two leaders — united in purpose, contrasting in style, and stronger together.

 

Join us for the ride. This is our year. 💪

 

\#NRLW2025 #CoCaptains #TogetherStronger #HorsePower 🐴🔥

 

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