NRLW kick-off becomes collateral damage as CBA dispute takes shine off what's supposed to be biggest season yet

This was meant to be the biggest season of the NRLW to date.

Four new teams – Wests Tigers, Cronulla, Canberra and North Queensland – are taking the competition to 10 teams and there is also a lot of joy and momentum around these clubs as they have been fiercely committed to growing the women’s game over several years.

While the Collective Bargaining Agreement has not been finalised yet (as some of the key terms impacting the women are part of the men’s CBA), the financial terms agreed between the NRL and RLPA reflect increases in minimum NRLW player salaries, access to Wellbeing and Education support and larger salary caps.

These increases in wages are especially important as the competition continues to grow in length.

Finally, for the first time ever all matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television and also on Fox Sports and Kayo.

But even for the most avid of fans, the lead-up to this season has been impacted by several events.

Let’s start with the media ban, which the Rugby League Players Association announced a couple of weeks ago.

Please don’t get me wrong. I absolutely support the players’ right to push for better and more suitable working conditions. I also really respect the commitment shown by the NRLW players in supporting their male counterparts.

But this media ban is impacting the women disproportionately.

It hasn’t really impacted my media consumption of the men’s game. I don’t miss those silly half-time interviews as the players are going to the sheds and I don’t miss the clichéd post-game chats either.

Where it has hit home is in the promotion of the NRLW.

The NRLW is an emerging competition and needs all the promotion it can get. Season launch campaigns have been cancelled because they happened to fall on a Friday. The ban will also limit time with the players during crucial broadcasts, but it also mean journalists wanting to showcase the next generation of talent only have three days to speak to players.

The competition is growing and by reducing access to the best part of the competition, the players, it has certainly meant we have seen less coverage.

This is a shame, but I know plenty of incredible journalists up for a challenge.

It’s also just dumb luck that the opening weekend of the season clashes with one of the biggest sporting events our country has hosted – the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Everywhere I look I see vision of the Matildas (or Barbie) and both are brilliant. Matildas mania has certainly struck Sydney in particular and almost everyone I speak to is brimming with excitement for the tournament.

But unfortunately in the Australian sporting landscape, casual fans only really seem to be able to focus on one big thing at once – whether it be the Ashes (men’s and women’s), the lead-up to Grand Final week or the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

It’s not too far a stretch to say that because of the huge interest in the Matildas, the NRLW might not be getting as much coverage.

So what can we do about it in the future?

Newcastle Knights won the 2022 NRLW Grand Final (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fortunately the NRLW will not clash with a FIFA Women’s World Cup next year, but there is still something to be said about the timing of the competition. This is where it is important that the NRL starts thinking big picture and how to time the competition alongside State of Origin and Internationals.

There was plenty of excitement in June during the State of Origin period. That excitement fizzled out when people realised there was no third game.

Could we start the women’s competition a little bit earlier, perhaps during the State of Origin period. In an ideal world, the men’s competition would be paused and the women could have clear air for that three-week period.

The NRLW season could then progress with State of Origin planned at the end of the year when the players have eased into their seasons.

But for the moment, if you love your footy, then make sure you watch some of the NRLW this weekend.

There have been some big player moves with Millie Boyle moving to the Sydney Roosters, Gayle Broughton to the Brisbane Broncos, Kirra Dibb to the North Queensland Cowboys, Raecene McGregor to the St George Illawarra Dragons, Simaima Taufa to the Canberra Raiders and Rachael Pearson to the Parramatta Eels.

For the first time, English players are competing in the competition and I can’t wait to see Hollie-Mae Dodd for the Raiders and Georgia Roche for the Newcastle Knights.

Players are switching position, with Emma Tonegato moving into the halves for the Sharks and there are some big returns, with Botille Vette-Welsh returning for the Wests Tigers after a serious ACL injury.

Then, there’s the next generation of talent who are looking to make their names for themselves in the competition like Jada Taylor, Ahlivia Ingram and Alexis Tauaneai.

Bring it on.