Following a successful Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership season with Wentworthville, twin sisters Anneka and Leilani Wilson are a step closer to playing in the NRLW by signing with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for 2025.
Both women played seven games for the Magpies in 2024, scoring seven tries between them and helping the club to the minor premiership.
Anneka at halfback and Leilani in the second row fought hard in the Women’s Premiership Semi-finals against the Newcastle Knights but Wentworthville bowed out 20-18.
Leilani was named the NSWRL’s Player of the Year for the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership at the annual Brad Fittler Medal in September.
It is a coming home of sorts for the Wilson sisters as they played Women’s Premiership with the Bulldogs in 2023 after being in the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy side that won the 2022 Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup.
That year the pair were also part of the victorious NSW Under 19s Women’s State of Origin side coached by Blake Cavallaro, who will be the Bulldogs’ head coach for their inaugural NRLW season next year.
“I’m really excited to bring both Anneka and Leilani back to the club for our inaugural NRLW campaign,” Cavallaro told bulldogs.com.au
"I’ve had the opportunity to work with both sisters in the past at both club and rep level, where they have contributed to State of Origin and grand final victories in the pathways sphere.”
The Bulldogs and Warriors join the NRLW in 2025 to take the competition to 12 teams. The season starts on 3 July with the Bulldogs’ Round One game at home at Accor Stadium against the Knights.
