Ciesiolka’s Move: Broncos Premiership Winner Set to Join Dragons Amidst NRLW Player Shuffle
The National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition is buzzing with speculation following reports that two-time premiership winner Shenae Ciesiolka is poised to sign with the St George Illawarra Dragons. This potential move comes after the Brisbane Broncos granted the decorated outside back an immediate release from her contract. The development has fuelled talk of a player swap, with many suggesting that Indie Bostock’s recent departure from the Dragons could be directly linked.
The Broncos confirmed on Wednesday that Ciesiolka had been granted an immediate release from the remaining two years of her contract, which was set to run through 2026 and 2027. Now, reports are circulating that Ciesiolka will ink a long-term deal with the Dragons, signalling a significant shift in the NRLW landscape.
Ciesiolka, a formidable talent at 28 years old, has been a cornerstone of the Broncos’ success. During her tenure, she accumulated 39 appearances for the Queensland club, tasting premiership glory in both the 2020 and 2025 seasons. Her representative career is equally impressive, boasting 11 State of Origin games for Queensland and three Test caps for the Jillaroos, Australia’s national women’s rugby league team.
The timing of Ciesiolka’s release has led to widespread belief that it could facilitate a player exchange with Bostock, a promising young outside back. The 19-year-old Bostock was recently granted a release from the Dragons on compassionate grounds. It’s understood she is looking to relocate to Queensland to be closer to her brother, Jack, and partner, Tevita Naufahu, both of whom currently play in the men’s NRL competition for the Dolphins.
While the Dolphins do not currently field a team in the NRLW, the Broncos are the closest NRLW club to their Redcliffe base. Bostock is widely regarded as one of the brightest emerging talents in the NRLW, and securing her services would represent a major coup for the Broncos, who are the reigning NRLW champions.
Broncos Navigating Roster Changes
The departure of Ciesiolka is not the only significant roster adjustment for the Brisbane Broncos. The club has also seen the exits of Keilee Joseph, who has moved to Parramatta, and the formidable duo of Mele Hufanga and Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, who are heading to the New Zealand Warriors.
Despite these losses, the Broncos have been proactive in bolstering their squad, successfully luring high-profile Jillaroos stars Jesse Southwell and Shannon Mato to the club. These signings demonstrate the Broncos’ continued commitment to maintaining their status as a dominant force in the NRLW.
For Shenae Ciesiolka, a move to the Dragons would likely see her reunite with Queensland Origin coach Nathan Cross, who is expected to be involved with the Dragons. Although Ciesiolka had signed a two-year contract extension with the Broncos last year, reports suggest she “decided she needed a change of scenery and asked permission to look elsewhere.” The Broncos acknowledged her contributions in a statement, saying, “We thank Shenae for her contribution to the club and wish her the best in the next chapter.”
The St George Illawarra Dragons are also undergoing significant roster changes ahead of the 2026 season. In addition to the potential arrival of Ciesiolka, they have seen the departures of Bostock, Raecene McGregor, Bobbi Law, Shenai Lendill, and Margot Vella. However, the club has moved to strengthen its squad by securing the signatures of former club players Taliah Fuimaono and Emma Verran, who are set to join from 2027 onwards. This period of transition for both clubs highlights the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the NRLW competition, with player movements shaping the future of teams and the league itself.
