Players hoping NRLW competition grows in 2020

If the NRLW competition isn't ready to welcome other clubs by 2020, then players would like the format to be lengthened so the four clubs play each other twice.

The 2019 competition begins next month with the same schedule as its inaugural year in 2018 – the Warriors, Roosters Broncos and Dragons playing each other once (three rounds) before the grand final in the fourth week.

But Roosters players Vanessa Foliaki, Corban McGregor and Simiama Taufa say the women's game needs to grow by next year even if no other clubs are added.

"Give us more rounds so we can play each other twice. That would help. You need time to find your groove and you can't do that in just four weeks," Foliaki told pan66.com.

"It helps that we have a pre-season this year. We didn't get that last year. We were expected to gel even though we'd come from different places, different clubs and competitions.

"We get a four-week pre-season and then a four-week season. That will help us a lot. Last year I feel like we didn't have enough time to get things right. It's such a short season."

The ARL Commission at its June meeting said plans were underway to expand the number of teams by 2022.

As for the rounds increasing, the NRL said that at the conclusion of the upcoming season there would be a thorough review with all the stakeholders – clubs, players, sponsors, fans – asked for their input.

In February next year details of the 2020 competition are expected to be announced.

McGregor said players were fine with 2019 being the same as 2018.

"It's been good to keep it the same program so we have two good solid years under the NRLW belt," she said.

"But in 2020 some growth is probably needed and will happen. In saying that it doesn't have to be huge growth, it could be just another one or two teams.

Taufa, who captained the Roosters to the grand final last year, said a competition change was needed for 2020.

"For me personally as long as it comes, I'm pretty excited no matter if it's five teams or more rounds," Taufa told pan66.com.

"The idea is to get more games for the girls. I know everyone in the NRLW is very driven towards getting a second time playing each other.

"If you win or you lose, you want to earn the chance to reinforce what you did the first time you met, or get revenge the second time around.

"As long as the competition grows and we get that backing and support not just from the NRL admin and NRLW clubs but from everyone in rugby league," she said.

"We need to make the competition sustainable and at a high standard. I think a second round of playing each other would be an awesome first step."

The Broncos beat the Roosters 34-12 in last season's decider.

Considering the Roosters NRL side have won two grand finals in the past five years, McGregor said there was no internal expectation on the women equal that success in the same time frame.

"We're really proud of the men but we don't feel any pressure to be as good as them," she said.

"We feel pressure to lift our standards and rise to what we know we can do. On paper we had such a great team last year but we just didn't click. That will be changing this year."