Players in the NRLW are advocating for an extended season and increased salaries as the NRL contemplates how to allocate substantial funds from broadcasters.
This discussion arises as the current agreement regulating NRLW salary caps and minimum earnings is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2027 season.
While negotiations for a new contract are still pending, Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani-Gray, marking the 20th anniversary of the NRL's Women in League round, has clear goals in mind.
"Being able to expand the salary cap, being able to make the women players full time is definitely a step in the right direction," she stated.
"Take away financial insecurity, take away having to juggle multiple jobs or study alongside the expectation of putting out a professional product."
The current agreement has progressively raised female athletes' minimum pay from $30,000 to $50,600 annually, aiming for a team's total salary to exceed $1.5 million by 2027.
In stark contrast, the top 30 male players across all NRL clubs will collectively earn about $12.1 million that same year.
Canterbury-Bankstown captain Tayla Preston argued that extending the NRLW season would enhance game quality and mitigate injury risks.
"We have such a long off-season, girls are going to come and pick up injuries quite quickly," she remarked.