A stellar NRLW rookie campaign for fledgling Cronulla Sharks catapulted centre Annessa Biddle into the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championship squad in 2023.
The Otara Scorpions product scored two tries, racked up 1,366 running metres and made 33 tackle-breaks for the Sharks in their foundation season to collect a swag of awards.
Biddle was named Cronulla’s Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year, while she collected the Rugby League Players’ Association NRLW Rookie of the Year and Dally M NRLW Rookie of the Year honours.
The tyro scored a try on Test debut as a winger in the loss to Australia in Townsville, switched to the second-row against Tonga and dotted down again in a win, and produced a vitally industrious display (73 metres and 26 tackles) in the Kiwi Ferns’ pack as they carved out a memorable victory in Melbourne.
