The fledgling NRLW risks losing prime-time TV viewers and wider visibility under a radical proposal to shake up the competition's schedule put forward by the players' union.
The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has asked the NRL for additional payments for NRLW players who feature in Thursday evening matches, claiming their female members deserve compensation for taking time off from their day jobs.
The NRLW is a part-time competition and the request for extra payment is outside of the existing collective bargaining agreement the RLPA agreed with the NRL last year.
Stand-alone Thursday night NRLW games have in the past received a national broadcast reach of more than one million viewers.
None of the three Thursday fixtures in the 2024 season involved interstate teams playing each other, reducing travel time.
"Thursday fixtures remain a long-term concern for NRLW players if they are not compensated for needing to take more time off work from their primary income," said RLPA general manager Jamie Buhrer.
"Players have no issue with playing Thursday night games in theory as it provides consistency for the fans with rugby league on that night, and gives the NRLW, clubs and players a prime-time slot to showcase the talent.
"But before going ahead with an increase in them or even scheduling those fixtures, we believe that compensation needs to be secured and guaranteed."
The RLPA has also asked head office to consider putting on more double-headers with NRL fixtures, and requested that no games kick off before midday on Saturday or Sunday to allow junior players to attend.
"NRLW players are comfortable having double-headers or clashes with NRL fixtures because the alternative was a shorter schedule where each team only played 10 of the 11 teams," Buhrer said.
"A double-header or clash is better than playing no game at all. They believe the more games they can play the better."
But such a move is unlikely to sit well with the NRL, which has made a conscious effort to maximise the NRLW's exposure.
Such a plan would create a logjam of fixture congestion, cause logistical difficulties at smaller suburban venues and could potentially force fans to pick between watching NRL or NRLW games.
Currently, clashes between the NRLW and NRL are few and far between, which has led to increased exposure in the NRLW.
The NRL is eager to maximise interest and revenue in the NRLW ahead of the next broadcast deal, when it feels the women's game will be strong enough to be a compelling product for broadcasters.
The NRL has actively attempted to give the NRLW clear air to grow with its broadcast slots on the game's free-to-air broadcaster the Nine Network with earlier kick-off times.
The NRLW will expand to 12 teams in 2025, with Canterbury a new addition to the league, and the Warriors returning to the competition for the first time since 2020.
