The Sharks have continued their impressive recruiting drive ahead of their inaugural season in the NRLW competition with the signing of Jillaroos and NSW Origin forward Holli Wheeler.
Following on from the recent announcements of Jillaroo and rugby Seven’s Gold Medallist Emma Tonegato, along with local junior and Origin representative Quincy Dodd, securing the services of Wheeler on a two-year contract is another significant signing for the Sharks NRLW team ahead of the 2023 season.
Already familiar with the Sharks, having played in the NSW Harvey Norman Premiership team which won through to the Grand Final in 2022, with Wheeler later awarded the Sharks Women’s Player of the Year for her efforts, and the experienced front rower is excited to be linking with the Cronulla club once again.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time and the bonds I made last year in the Harvey Norman comp and I’m so honoured to be able to pull the jersey back on,” Wheeler said. “Those experiences made the decision to come back a lot easier.”
And with Sharks recruitment drive and player announcements set to continue as they build a squad for the season ahead and Wheeler is positive about the team’s prospects.
“I’m really excited by the squad the Sharks are getting together and a few of those key players I really wanted to play alongside again. That ultimately tipped me over the edge to get me back here,” she added.
Having already coached Wheeler in the Harvey Norman Premiership team, NRLW coach Tony Herman was thrilled to have a player of her character, leadership and ability in his Sharks squad.
“‘Holli was one of the first players I spoke to when we found out that we had received an NRLW Licence, she was that important to our program,” Herman said. “She is that player that everyone wants to play beside, a true leader on and off the field and someone that drives culture at every training session.
“She is a credit to herself as a player and as a person and I can’t wait to start working with her again,” Herman added.
Born in Taree, with her first introduction to the game of rugby league coming at the nearby Old Bar Pirates, Wheeler was a late bloomer, introduced to the game at age 27 with her career at an elite level beginning in 2018.
Playing the first NRLW season with the St George Illawarra Dragons, a year in which she was named the Dragons Player of the Year, Wheeler made her NSW Origin and Jillaroos debuts during the same season, with her resume including two games for the Sky Blues and five matches for Australia.
In 2019 she helped guide the Dragons to the NRLW Grand Final, where they were eventually beaten by the Broncos, before representing the Jillaroos at the International Nines in Perth, an event which proved to be bittersweet, with Wheeler suffering an ACL tear and missing the 2020 season.
Since returning to full fitness and her best form, Wheeler has quickly become recognised as one of the leading forwards in women’s rugby league once again, with her performances characterised by her toughness and high work rate.
With more Sharks women’s signings still to be revealed, Wheeler is set to complement the exciting young talent in the Cronulla NRLW team.
