Current and Former KFS Stars Shine in Mounties Premiership Glory

Aaliyah Lomas, Gabriella Savage, Isabella Piper, Madyson Tooth and Teliya Hetaraka all featured in the Mounties 22-6 victory against the Newcastle Knights last Saturday at Commbank Stadium.

The Katrina Fanning Shield competition has been running since 2017, acting as the premier Open Women’s tackle competition in the region and over the years has become a breeding ground for future NRLW talent.

Since its inception, 10 players have graduated to make their NRLW debuts with seven making a debut here in Canberra for the Raiders, this number doesn’t include the numerous NRLW contracted players or state cup players.

CRRL General Manger Mark Vergano OAM stated the competition has continued to flourish over the past decade and has become a development competition for future talent.

“The Katrina Fanning Shield continues to mature as a competition and the players being developed through this competition are now progressing to higher honours,” Vergano said.

Five players that featured in the Mounties premiership victory over the weekend began their careers in the Katrina Fanning Shield competition.

Former West Belconnen Warriors Lomas and Savage, were both brought into the Raiders system being awarded a supplementary and development deals respectively after impressive seasons which included four tries in the 2025 KFS Grand Final, with Piper joining the two on a development deal after a strong year on the edge for the Belconnen United Sharks.

“Aaliyah Lomas is an inspirational story having come back from an ACL injury, producing a solid 2025 season to once again become a Raiders development player.”

“Savage has been outstanding in both the KFS for West Belconnen and the Tarsha Gale Cup Raiders team and has performed strongly for the Mounties as a flying winger.”

“Isabella Piper is a youngster of huge promise from the Belconnen Sharks and her mobility coming off the bench for the Mounties in trying conditions saw her run for plenty of metres and never shirked the tough stuff.”

Tooth, elevated to a Top 24 deal in 2026, played for the Goulburn City Bulldogs across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, with Vergano attributing her persistence and dedication to her success.  

“Maddy Tooth has progressed from one of the CRRL’s greatest nurseries, Goulburn, and her persistence and dedication has been rewarded with a Raiders contract and she was a powerhouse in the centre’s against Newcastle making yardage and defending impressively on the edge.”

Meanwhile, Teliya Hetaraka is the current Captain Coach of the Tuggeranong Bushrangers side and finished in the top five for the Maree Bush Medal in the 2026 season despite only playing six games this season.

“The Tuggeranong Bushrangers and Mounties have a player with an incredible footy IQ who is a coach on the field and her bone rattling defence kept Newcastle knowing she was around.”

Next year will see the Katrina Fanning Shield competition hit an exciting milestone, celebrating ten years of existence, with the CRRL General Manager excited about the opportunity it has provide female footballers to play at the highest level.

“The female pathway in the CRRL continues to develop and is producing players who are now aspiring to playing higher and in the Katrina Fanning Shield they have a competition that is promoting those dreams.”