Penrith District Rugby League: Meet 40+ rising stars in the girls U17s finals

In the junior girls, the top teams in the district are gearing up for the under-17s finals. Across two divisions, four teams in each pool will battle for spots in the Cup and Shield grand finals, which are set to be held at Windsor Sporting Complex on August 31.

In the top division, teams packed with representative stars will battle for Cup glory. In the Shield pool, a host of new faces will be out to impress.

With an eye to the future, we’ve reached out to the coaches to identify the players to watch. Meet 40+ stars on show.

CUP

MEEKAH VIIGA (ST MARYS)

Lock

One of eight in the Saints squad to represent Penrith in Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17s) this year, the hard working captain is one her teammates look up to. A gifted communicator, Meekah also features for Westfields Sports High in the NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup.

JAEAHNA LATU (ST MARYS)

Prop

Another from Westfields Sports, the powerful prop is a regular on the rep scene. Big and athletic, Jaeahna takes the side forward and can go all day.

HANNAH ISON (ST MARYS)

Centre

The rising Panthers rep combines strong defence with tough carries, and her 15 tries are the most in the competition. She played for City U17s last year and recently represented NSWCCC at the ASSRL Championships in Coffs Harbour.

ZARA STANFORD (ST MARYS)

Five-eighth

Zara is a gifted all-rounder with a finger in many pies. She still plays representative soccer and AFL for the GWS Giants, and her kicking skills are coming to the fore in a breakout rugby league season.

AALIYAH WOMAL (ST MARYS)

Halfback

A former hooker, the Penrith pathways rep is a nippy playmaker who loves to take on the line. Has what it takes to guide the side around the park and can also open doors for her teammates out wide.

ALIYAH WAIPOURI (MINCHINBURY JETS)

Halfback

Rated among the best organisers in the district, the playmaker has handled the rise to Lisa Fiaola Cup with the North Sydney Bears. A sharpshooter with all the skills, the Jets captain enters the finals with 108 points.

ANITA ROPATI (MINCHINBURY JETS)

Five-eighth

The running part of a formidable halves combination, Anita is a Panthers rep with all the moves who has a habit of keeping the opposition in two minds.

SAVANNAH TOFAEONO (MINCHINBURY JETS)

Prop/second row

A major strike weapon in the Minchinbury pack, the Penrith pathways rep is equally dangerous in the middle or patrolling an edge. She brings size and speed, and is deceptively light on her feet.

KATHREEN SIALE (MINCHINBURY JETS)

Lock

Rock solid, no one likes to run at this imposing Bears rep. Sharp on all aspects of the game, Kathreen is a vital cog in the Jets’ machine.

BETTY TANAKI (MINCHINBURY JETS)

Centre/wing

Tall and fast, Betty juggles her time floating between league and rugby union. On a fast track to higher honours in both codes, she’s known for taking an intercept and enters the finals with 12 tries to her name.

TAMEIKA CLARKE (EMU PLAINS)

Five-eighth

The Bathurst junior is definitely one to watch. A fierce competitor with strength, speed and class, those in the know say Tameika is the complete package destined for higher honours. Heading into the finals, the goalkicking playmaker has 116 points – the most in the competition.

GEORGIE ZAHRA (EMU PLAINS)

Second row

With two seasons of Lisa Fiaola Cup under her belt, the Emu skipper adds plenty of passion and experience. A strike force on the left edge, she runs tough lines and knows how to find a gap.

SIENNA BALEWAI (EMU PLAINS)

Second row

The other half of a lethal back row, Sienna takes great satisfaction in bending the line with the ball and dishing out punishing shots in defence.

KIAH TAOTOFI (EMU PLAINS)

Fullback

An genuine metre-eater, the fullback often crunches out 200-plus metres. Dynamic on kick returns, she always pushes up through the middle and enters the finals with nine tries. Loud down back, she directs the team in defence.

SHEKAINA KULLY (EMU PLAINS)

Prop

Considered almost passive last season, like the majority of the squad, the hungry prop has returned fitter and stronger in 2025. Thinks like a second rower, and is an absolute handful when in beast-mode – loves pounding out metres and never wants to come off.

MYLEI PALMER-VAIVAO (COLYTON COLTS)

Fullback

The proud Colts skipper calls the shots from down back. Gifted with ball in hand, the electric No.1 is already making a name for herself with the Penrith Panthers.

GEORGIA KOURIS (COLYTON COLTS)

Prop

Still only 16, the highly rated prop didn’t look out of place playing for North Sydney in the Lisa Fiaola Cup. Super strong and dangerous from close range, she already has six tries to her name.

TEEARA RUSSELL (COLYTON COLTS)

Second row

Another rising star in the Bears pathways, the 16-year-old hits hard and runs even harder. Proud of her Indigenous heritage, the Colts co-captain also shines in the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors jersey at the annual Koori Knockout.

HAILEY WHEATLEY (COLYTON COLTS)

Five-eighth

A natural with Steeden in hand, Hailey has successfully transitioned from Oztag in her first season. Having recently recovered from a broken hand, the silky skilled organiser is poised to add another dimension to Colyton’s attack.

KAYLA HORVAT (COLYTON COLTS)

Centre

Quiet by nature, the Penrith representative arrived at Colyton with a bang midway through the season. Dazzling with a hat-trick on debut, she continues to shine in a potent Colts backline.

SHIELD

KAMATE VAINE (BROTHERS)

Hooker

An Ozzy Cooks rep at the Harmony Cup and Heritage Games, the rising hooker continues to develop her craft with North Sydney in the Lisa Fiaola Cup. A strong defender, she’s sharp around the ruck and knows when to fly solo.

ZOEY LONG (BROTHERS)

Prop

The element of surprise is a major weapon in this captain’s kitbag. Rock-solid upfront, the prop can offload in traffic, but it’s her ability to strike from nowhere in defence that unsettles the opposition.

GRACE SENE (BROTHERS)

Second row

A backrower with big wraps, Grace is a Penrith Panthers rep capable of running tough lines. Another Ozzy Cooks rep, she is fearless in defence an drives hard with her shoulders.

TENNYSON CASHMAN (BROTHERS)

Prop/Second row

Coming of a two-year break, Tennyson has quickly found her feet since returning to Brothers from regional NSW. Knows how to hit a gap and from all reports her ability to sting in defence is off the charts.

ALLYRAH CASHMAN (BROTHERS)

Halves

The twin sister of Tennyson plays off the cuff eyes-up footy, and despite nursing an injury, hopes to make a return to the side during the finals.

DOUNYA GHANEM (BROTHERS)

Centre

A standout in her rookie season, Dounya hasn’t looked back since making the move from League Tag. Handy in attack, her confidence and courage are evident, especially in her fearless tackling.

MARLEYA ELEKANA (BLACKTOWN CITY)

Lock

The long-striding captain often beats the first defender and is frequently seen carrying multiple tacklers along for the ride. Currently in the South Sydney pathways, Marleya is arguably Blacktown’s best player.

ANGELINA SINGH (BLACKTOWN CITY)

Halfback

Listed at halfback, Angelina offers much more to City with her utility value. A natural leader whom the girls listen to, she directs traffic in the halves and leverages her experience with North Sydney in the Lisa Fiaola Cup.

MARY POLU (BLACKTOWN CITY)

Five-eighth

A centre in the Rabbitohs’ pathways, Mary’s steady hands and ability to turn defenders inside out has seen her cross the stripe on 10 occasions ahead of the finals. Among a strong defensive unit, she also excels without the ball.

LESIELI SEKONA (BLACKTOWN CITY)

Prop

The mobile prop does plenty of heavy lifting for Blacktown. Another linked to South Sydney, Lesieli likes to stamp her authority in the middle with tough carries and big minutes.

OLYMPIA ROSS (BLACKTOWN CITY)

Fullback

The City speedster is making a fine impression in her first season of tackle footy. A quick learner, Olympia’s scrambling defence and ability to shutdown threatening raids is a key feature of her play down back.

TELIAH ARGAET (ST CLAIR)

Centre

With a powerful carry and lethal fend, Teliah is making the most of her first season. A natural on both sides of the ball, she has the potential to push rep boundaries in the future.

JORDYN LEPUA (ST CLAIR)

Prop

A menacing figure upfront, the Comets prop captains the side with passion and commitment. Tough to handle with a head of steam, Jordyn can dish it out in defence.

TAYLA RUSSELL (ST CLAIR)

Halfback

Tayla brings a team-first mentality to St. Clair. An inspiration both on and off the field, despite being one of the smallest on the books, the co-captain shows up every week and never misses training.

SUMMER REYNOLDS (ST CLAIR)

Fullback

A pocket-rocket in the No.1 jersey, Summer calls on her Oztag background to spot gaps and sizzle into the back field. All heart in defence, she’s throws herself at the biggest attackers.

MADI WINSTANLEY (ST CLAIR)

Wing

Still finding her way in attack, don’t be fooled by this 15-year-old newbie. A warrior without the ball. Madi is rated among the Comets’ top tacklers.

NIAH SIRILA (ST CLAIR)

Hooker

Another playing a year young, the rising hooker doesn’t look out of depth and is one to watch punching holes from dummy-half.

ZAHLIA SULTANA (NORTH WEST)

Halfback

A scheming half who brings a run first attitude to the Magpies attack, Zahlia is equally strong without the ball and rarely misses her mark in defence.

IZZY SULTANA (NORTH WEST)

Five-eighth

The twin sister of Zahlia, Izzy is a headache for opponents. A carbon copy in every facet, she’s equally dangerous on the other side of the ruck.

LACEY O’BRIEN (NORTH WEST)

Centre

Still only 15, Lacey is already a development player at Penrith. Super quick out of the blocks, she’s tough to pin down, and despite her small stature, she takes down the bigger girls with a textbook grass cutter technique.

TYLAH DENGATE-MANGNALL (NORTH WEST)

Hooker

With a strong family connection at the club, the proud Magpies skipper leads from the front in defence. Tough as nails, she’s one the others look to for inspiration.

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TAMARA DAVIES (NORTH WEST)

Centre/utility

A national hurdler, Tamara knows how to make the most of open space. Another of the Magpies’ young brigade, the 15-year-old is a natural footballer and can cover most positions in the backline.

Originally published as Penrith District Rugby League: Meet 40+ rising stars in the girls U17s finals