When it was announced that the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs would be joining the NRLW in 2025, excitement quickly followed. But it was the club’s first official signing that truly signalled their intent to make an impact: Tayla Preston.
As the inaugural player of the Bulldogs’ new NRLW team, Preston’s signing marks more than just a contract; it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of the competition. A dynamic halfback known for her vision, leadership, and resilience, Preston has become one of the most exciting playmakers in the game. Her journey into professional rugby league began later than most, taking up the sport at 16, but she’s made up for lost time with determination and a sharp rise through the ranks.
With the NRLW expanding to 12 teams in 2025, including the introduction of the Bulldogs and the return of the New Zealand Warriors, it’s players like Preston who are shaping this next chapter of the women’s game. After standout seasons with the Eels and the Sharks, and a grand final appearance under her belt, Preston is now ready to help build something from the ground up.
I sat down with Tayla to talk about the meaning behind her historic signing, how she’s approaching this new challenge, and what the NRLW’s rapid growth means for the next generation of players and fans.
Q: How much does it mean to you to be forever recognised as Bulldogs inaugural signing?
A: It’s pretty surreal to be honest. It probably still won’t sink in until we kind of, you know, kick off round one.
For me, I think it is a pretty proud achievement for not only myself, but my family as well. We have all grown up passionate Bulldogs supporters. So, I guess to be able to say that I was the inaugural signing is kind of a bit of a pinch me moment for myself.
I probably would have never thought in a million years that I would be able to play rugby league in general, let alone for the Bulldogs. So, for me, I count my lucky stars that I am able to say that I play for the Bulldogs, come round one obviously. But yeah, to be the inaugural signing is something that is so special to me and to be able to represent a club that has such a proud and rich history is so important to me and I can’t wait.
Q: You have been an integral part of the Sharks success over the past 2 seasons, what were the main reasons for the switch to the Bulldogs for 2025 and 2026 and who were the main influencers in getting you to move across?
A: Obviously it is a difficult decision no matter if you stay or if you go. I have got lifelong friends at the Sharks, and I’ve also grown up in that area too. So, it was definitely a difficult decision to leave the Sharks and leave my friends. But for me, you know I always want to be challenging myself and taking that next step.
Like I said before, I’ve grown up going for the Bulldogs and my family has as well. I just didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity to represent the Bulldogs and to be the inaugural signing is something I will forever be grateful for. I guess the club really trusted me with that and put a lot of faith in me. As a player, that is all you want, a club to be able to put that kind of faith in you. And you know, I just want to be able to repay them in having success at the club. For me, I feel like it is kind of like a home away from home really. I know when I walk through those doors at Belmore, I feel so welcomed and at home.
For me, it is also about representing my family as well. I like to be a big family person, so it is so special to see how excited my parents are and how excited my nan is because they used to always go to the Belmore games. I guess that was the main factor, my family and just challenging myself as a player and hopefully bringing that success and continue to develop as a leader for the string pathway girls that are coming through as well.
Q: How much do you feel the standard has improved as you enter your 4th season of the NRLW?
A: The standard just keeps on improving year on year.
I think we are seeing a lot more and I think that goes back to the NRL investing in our pathways. You know now with Lisa Fiola leading into Tarsha Gale and then we have got Harvey Norman. There is now a proper clear pathway all the way through to the NRLW. I feel like because of that, we are seeing girls able to get into the system a lot earlier than I guess from us when we used to just first start playing at 20 and kind of try to play a bit of catch up.
Now we are getting a lot more investment in the game, you know our coaches, our strength and conditioning, nutrition, I think all of that plays a massive role in women’s rugby league in general. To see the growth of the game, you know its gone leaps and bounds from even just 2022.
We always say that everyone is getting fitter, faster and stronger each and every year, and you can see that when you watch the game. It is so competitive. I love that you don’t know who you are going to verse, you’re always going to have a challenge every single round, and I love that, and that is just a huge testament to each and every club with their pathways and the young, talented girls that are coming through. That is a massive, massive thing for the game and to be able to see we are at 12 teams now and we get to bring in new audiences and new fan bases as well. I think that is pretty exciting and to see where the game has come and how it is going to continue to grow is really exciting as a player.
I am so fortunate and lucky enough to be able to be a part of it and hopefully for many years to come.
Q: How much would it mean for you to be able to win a Premiereship with the Bulldogs?
A: I think that would just be I guess a lifelong dream to be able to hopefully win a premiership for the Bulldogs. I know that all of us are itching to get out there already. For us, we just want to keep building on each and every week and learn off each other and hopefully have great success in our inaugural year and build that legacy for many years to come.
For us it is a special moment. You don’t really get to say that you have been a part of an inaugural team very often so I know that all of us as a squad will definitely be looking forward to hopefully bringing a lot of success to the Bulldogs and having a really successful first year and then kind of keep building each and every year.
Original photo by Tahlie Gavin