Stowers, Bartlett among four new NRLW signings

Author: Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp: Fri 20 Aug 2021, 11:55 AM

St George Illawarra have announced internationals Shontelle Stowers and Madison Bartlett as its latest 2021 NRL Women's Premiership signings.

Centre Stowers and utility back Bartlett join the Dragons from the New Zealand Warriors in an exciting boost for the club's outside back ranks.

Stowers has previously represented New South Wales and Samoa in rugby league as well as Australia in rugby union over a distinguished 14-year career.

NRL Women's Premiership coach Mat Head described Stowers as one of the Dragons' most important signings for the upcoming season.

"Shontelle was always a player we wanted to go after," Head said.

"She's an experienced and intelligent footballer as well as a real defence-oriented player which I thought was something we have previously lacked.

"You talk about your marquee players and the culture they need to set – I see Shonny playing just as important a role in that group. She knows what it takes to win and will be a super addition to our team.

Bartlett – a New Zealand international in rugby league (both Nines and Test football), touch football and tag rugby – will play an important role in the Dragons' backline, according to Head.

"Madison was an interesting one as she reached out to me regarding whether there was an opportunity at the club," Head said.

"Shontelle actually spoke really highly of her and gave her a huge rap. To have a player of Madison's quality and versatility come into our squad is exciting."

The Dragons have additionally confirmed that playmaker Renee Targett and lock Tegan Dymock will join the Red V for the upcoming campaign.

Targett was 18th woman for the New South Wales Origin team earlier this year while Dymock joined the likes of Jaime Chapman, Teagan Berry, Chantel Tugaga and Keele Browne in the Blues' Under-19s squad.

"Renee received a lot of praise as part of the State of Origin squad. I received calls throughout their camp from our senior Dragons saying this is the kind of player we need at our club as a great person and a great teammate," Head said.

"Renee jumped at the opportunity to play at the Dragons and I'm super excited to see her push for selection over the coming months.

"Tegan has massive raps on her toughness and ball-playing ability. She has the capability to play NRLW this year having mixed it with the best of them in the Sydney competition," Head added.

"She is a player of the future and we thought it best to have the players we have signed from the New South Wales Under-19s teams come through together."

The Dragons have announced 16 NRLW players to date, with more to follow in the coming weeks upon the competition's fate being determined.