The Canberra Raiders are pleased to announce that Jaida Faleono and Elise Simpson will join the club’s NRLW squad for the 2025 season.
Faleono returns to the team for a second year after making her NRLW debut in 2024, playing in the last three games of the season.
Simpson is an Australian Youth Touch Football and Rugby Sevens representative who is in her second year playing for the Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup team. She was also the Raiders’ Katrina Fanning Scholarship recipient in 2024.
Both players have been part of the Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup team during the 2024 and 2025 seasons and will join the NRLW squad when pre-season training commences on May 12.
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick said he’s excited for Faleono to return for the 2025 season following her first taste of NRLW in 2024.
“For a young girl that has come through our pathways system, she learnt a lot last season and got her opportunity when we needed her to and performed quite well,” Borthwick said.
“I’ve seen an improvement in Jaida playing Tarsha Gale again this year, just the way she carries herself. She’s still finding out about herself at our level, we’ve put a lot of work into her and it’s a good reward for her that we want to continue to see her grow.
“Like all our players, she’ll play an important role in how successful we are this season. I’m happy to have her back and I know she’s excited to be back here which is even more important.”
Simpson, who grew up in Canberra, has signed with the club for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with Borthwick excited to see the 18-year-old come into the NRLW squad.
“Elise is another one that has come through our pathways system. Elise is a good talent, she had a really good season in Tarsha Gale last year and is someone that we identified that will strengthen our team.
“Similar to Jaida, I’ve been happy with her performances in our junior reps system this year. She’ll only benefit from being around our senior players and to be local is even more of a bonus.
“She was the 2024 Katrina Fanning Scholarship winner. We’ll obviously not put too much pressure on her but I’m very keen to see how she grows and takes the opportunity that she’s going to get.”
Faleono said she’s excited to remain at the club for another year and build on her debut season.
“I’m very excited, it’s a privilege being back. These girls have become my family so I’m very happy that I’m back here and I can’t wait for the season,” Faleono said.
“I’m excited to get back into it and excited to be back with the girls. I learn so much from these girls so I’m very thankful to be back with them again for another season. It’s a dream come true.”
Simpson is excited to take the next step in her rugby league journey by joining the NRLW squad for the next two seasons.
“It’s exciting and a little bit scary considering the only rugby league I’ve played is Tarsha Gale but I’m looking forward to it,” Simpson said.
“I’m looking forward to playing with the girls in the NRLW squad, being able to improve considering I’m new to the game and I have a lot to work on, so I look forward to learning from them.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Grace Kemp. When I first started rugby I played in a school rugby sevens comp and she was our coach at Canberra Grammar, so it will be crazy to play with her.”
Unfortunately Claudia Finau will miss the 2025 NRLW season after rupturing her ACL at Tarsha Gale Cup training earlier this year.
Finau was a NRLW development player in 2024 who was set to come into the Top 24 this season.
The 18-year-old has recently undergone surgery and has begun rehabilitation, with Borthwick adding that Finau will still be a big part of the squad this year.
“Our pathways systems are important and the girls that we do have here that can still play in our junior pathways, that’s what we want them to do,” Borthwick said.
“Unfortunately you take the risk and we’ve lost Claudia Finau to an ACL injury which is not ideal.
“She’s had her surgery, she’s in a good frame of mind at the moment and she’s already started to rehab and wants to get back as quickly as possible.
“She was coming off a development contract in 2024 and was coming into the Top 24 for 2025 and was someone who would have been an asset to us.
“Unfortunately she’s succumbed to that injury and we’ll obviously miss not having her in the squad but she’ll be a big part of what we do.
“She’ll be in and around the group and getting all the support that she needs to make sure she comes back bigger and stronger.
“I guess now we are looking for a replacement and I’ll be looking for someone that will offer similar to what Claudia was going to offer.
“Whilst it’s a bit of a hurdle, she’s got the full support of the club and is someone we want to make sure rehabs well and comes back stronger.”
