Emerging Athletes

Brianna Young  - Australian

Brianna is a highly driven and emerging female rugby league player, she has taken a bold step in her athletic journey by relocating from Perth to Sydney to pursue elite opportunities in the women’s game. Committed, disciplined, and hungry for growth, she joins the Mounties Rugby League Club to compete in the 2026 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, one of the strongest pathways into the NRLW.

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Known for her work ethic, resilience, and coachability, she brings natural athleticism, competitive intensity, and a genuine passion for the sport. Her move across the country reflects her dedication to development and her determination to challenge herself against top-tier talent.

With strong aspirations to progress through the NRLW pathways, she trains with purpose, embraces new environments, and consistently strives to elevate every aspect of her game.

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Focused, humble, and inspired by the next level of competition, she represents the new generation of female rugby league athletes — determined, ambitious, and ready to make her mark.

Anahera Paekau - Maori

Anahera is a rising talent in women’s rugby league, recently competing in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership for the Wentworthville Magpies.  She was also named among the Parramatta Eels’ 2025 summer squad trialists for the Tarsha Gale Cup and was also listed in match-day lineups for the Eels in the Lisa Fiaola Cup. 

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Her pathway also includes selection in representative squads, underscoring her dedication and potential.  Anahera’s rugby league roots trace back to Milperra Colts, where she played junior footy.   Her consistent performances and commitment to development have seen her emerge as a dedicated and promising player in the NSW junior pathways.

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Anahera’s combination of skill, commitment, and growth mindset marks her as a rising star in the women’s rugby league landscape. She continues to develop through high-performance environments, aiming to leverage her experience in the Harvey Norman Premiership to advance her career further.

Mele Ketuu - Tongan

Mele Ketuu is one of the most exciting young outside backs emerging through the women’s rugby league pathways. Known for her speed, power, and natural finishing ability, Mele has quickly built a reputation as a dynamic winger capable of changing the momentum of a game in a single play.

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She has represented the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy in the Tarsha Gale Cup (Under-19), playing as a winger.  She was identified as one of the “six players to watch” in the 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup finals by NSWRL, noted for her strong try-scoring ability and impact across the season.

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Mele’s performances demonstrate her speed, agility, and finishing skills — key attributes for someone in a backline role. She has also built valuable experience playing in representative setups, contributing to her development as a promising prospect in women’s rugby league.

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Looking ahead, Mele is eager to continue her progression through elite pathways, leveraging her Tarsha Gale Cup experience to target open-age competitions and potentially higher representative honors.