Sharks add depth and quality to their NRLW squad

The Sharks continue to add depth and class to their NRLW squad with the latest announcement of three players with representative experience.

Adding to a group that includes four players recently named in the NSW Origin squad, Māori All Star Harata Butler, former Jillaroo Vanessa Foliaki and 2021 Tarsha Gale Player of the Year Fatafehi Hansi will be members of the Sharks NRLW playing group for the 2023 season.

With Butler and Hansi middle forwards and Foliaki an edge back rower or lock, Sharks Coach Tony Herman is excited by these latest signing announcements with the season fast approaching and with his playing group set to come together for pre-season training in less than a week.

“You definitely need quality and depth in your forwards and Harata, Vanessa and Fatafehi certainly provide that,” Herman said. “All three have rep experience, either at a senior or junior level and I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting the best out of them and to also start working with the entire squad we have been able to assemble.”

The New Zealand-based Butler, who was a member of the Māori All Stars team earlier this year, joins the Sharks after playing the recent Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season for the Rabbitohs. She also has experience in the NRLW having represented the Warriors back in 2020.

Another experienced campaigner joining the Cronulla side for their inaugural season in the NRLW is Foliaki, a powerful edge forward or lock with a long list of representative appearances to her credit.

The now 29-year-old Foliaki debuted for the Jillaroos and the NSW Origin team back in 2014, before going on to represent in six games for Australia and as well as six for the Sky Blues. Foliaki would then play 11 games over three seasons for the Sydney Roosters, then seven matches for the Eels in the NRLW competition.

While in Hanisi, the Sharks have recruited a highly rated youngster who played in the 2021 NSW Junior Origin team after a season in which she was named the Tarsha Gale Player of the Year while helping to guide the Dragons to premiership success.

Unfortunately, Hanisi’s 2022 season was cruelly cut short by an ACL injury, however is now fit and ready to deliver on her immense potential.

The latest signings complement the likes of Emma Tonegato, Quincy Dodd, Brooke Anderson and Ellie Johnston, four members of the 2023 Sharks NRWL squad recently included in a 20-player NSW Origin squad.