“When it starts the fans and all the members can jump on the back of our NRLW team, and hopefully, we can do them proud as well as ourselves.”

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Signing experienced campaigners like Vette-Welsh, Apps and Togatuki was important for the team to find success, said head coach Brett Kimmorley. And the three will play a key role in mentoring a group which will be largely inexperienced at an NRLW level.

“Those three players are quality players, quality people, quality leaders, and we think it’s very important signing for us as a club,” Kimmorley said.

“Success is extremely hard to get in the men and women’s game, so we don’t expect to get it, we certainly have to work hard and earn it.”

The Wests Tigers will need to start their season on the front foot, Vette-Welsh said. And there are a few things she’s looking for from her team when pre-season training begins on May 29.

“A lot of toughness, [and] a lot of effort, whether you’re the most talented or not, you can’t fault effort ever, and a lot of mongrel,” Vette-Welsh said.

“I want to be known as a tough competitive team, and we are going to go out there and put everything on the line for our clubs, for our families and for each other.”

The draw for the 2023 NRLW season is expected to be released this week.

Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.