Tayla Preston’s NRLW Bulldogs Dream Fulfills a Lifelong Family Legacy
When Tayla Preston was unveiled as the Canterbury Bulldogs’ first-ever NRLW signing, her mother headed to the garage to retrieve a cherished piece of family history — a framed, signed poster of the club’s 2004 premiership-winning team. That squad, which featured NRL icons like Sonny Bill Williams, Johnathan Thurston, Hazem El Masri, and Willie Mason, had claimed a dramatic 16-13 grand final victory over the Sydney Roosters.
Now, two decades later, the Prestons have rehung the photo in their home — a daily reminder of Tayla’s goal to bring similar glory to the Bulldogs as part of their inaugural women’s team.
“We said, ‘We’ll put that up to set a goal,’” said Preston ahead of the club’s first-round match against Newcastle at Stadium Australia. “It’s cool to be able to look at that. I’d love to lift the trophy for the Bulldogs one day.”
Canterbury and the Warriors are the latest additions to the expanded NRLW competition, which now features 12 teams for the 2025 season. The Warriors return after a four-year absence, while the Bulldogs enter the league for the first time.
For Preston, now a co-captain alongside Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, pulling on the blue-and-white jersey is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Raised in Bulldogs heartland, she grew up playing touch football and idolising club heroes like Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, and Josh Morris.
A playmaker by trade, Preston brings valuable experience to the Bulldogs. She previously played for Parramatta and was part of Cronulla’s NRLW squad that fell just short in the 2024 grand final, losing 32-28 to the Roosters.
Preston believes that the Bulldogs — guided by former NRL player and now head coach Brayden Wiliame — have the potential to go deep in their debut season. With key contributors like veteran prop Holli Wheeler and New Zealand internationals Alexis Tauaneai, Teakaraanga-Katoa, and Ashleigh Quinlan, she sees no reason why a title run isn’t achievable.
“There’s no reason why we can’t be there on grand final day. We believe we’ve got the squad to do it,” she said.
“For us, it’s about building a legacy and setting high standards — so young girls can see there’s a real pathway now, and they too can dream of playing for the club they love.”
