Canberra have claimed the prized signature of Simaima Taufa, with the inspirational Parramatta captain making a shock move away from the Eels.
The 10 NRLW franchises began signing players when the contract window opened on Wednesday and a day later the Raiders, one of four new teams, confirmed they had lured Taufa.
The lock led the Eels to an unlikely play-offs berth last season and was instrumental in the upset semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters that took them to the decider.
She finished that game with 169-run metres and 33 tackles, before Parramatta fell to Newcastle in the grand final.
Taufa was later named Parramatta's players' player and was a joint winner of the club's player-of-the-year award with Kennedy Cherrington.
Ricky Stuart, coach of the Raiders' men's side, welcomed Taufa to Canberra.
"Simaima was our first signing last night," Stuart said.
"There was a presentation to her. She should be very proud in regards to being that number-one signing."
Taufa has already begun working for the Raiders in an off-field role as women's coach Darrin Borthwick continues to assemble his top-24 squad by the May 24 deadline.
Taufa's move was one of two shocks on Thursday.
St George Illawarra captain Kezie Apps is also set for a move away from the Dragons, after being among the club's biggest-name players in their opening five seasons.
The Jillaroos star, who led the Dragons in their inaugural season in 2018, was a long-time employee of the NRL club and one of their biggest stars.
Dragons officials were confident of retaining the second-rower's services as late as Wednesday, but on Thursday night she informed the club of her move.
Several other signings are expected now that the contracting window is open, with clubs only able to make verbal approaches to players before Wednesday due to protracted pay talks.
Millie Boyle is expected to be another player on the move, with a shift from Newcastle to the Sydney Roosters mooted.
The Dragons were the most active club over the first two days of contracting, headlined by the signing of reigning Dally M medallist Raecene McGregor from the Roosters.
The season is set to begin on the weekend of July 22 and will be expanded from 18 games to 48 to accommodate the addition of Canberra, North Queensland, Cronulla and Wests Tigers.
