Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | NRLW Leader
Tayla Preston has developed into a key playmaker in the NRLW, playing an important role for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with her composure, control and strong kicking game. As a halfback, she organises the team and directs play, consistently influencing field position and attacking shape.
Raised in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, Preston grew up in a football-focused environment with strong ties to the Bulldogs. She attended Woolooware High School and began her rugby league journey with the Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks, building the foundations for her progression into the elite level of the game.
Junior Club: Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Halfback
Career Highlights:
- Co-Captain, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (inaugural NRLW side)
- NRLW Single-Game Kicking Record Holder
- Cronulla Sharks All-Time Leading Point Scorer (NRLW)
- 2 x NRLW Grand Final Team Player (2022 Parramatta Eels & 2024 Cronulla Sharks)
- 2023 Bulldogs HNWP Coaches Award
- 2025 NRLW Members’ Player of the Year
Preston’s career has been defined by her ability to control the game, combining strong game management with a refined technical skillset. Her kicking game remains a standout, reflected in her NRLW single-game record, while her consistency across seasons has seen her recognised by both teammates and coaches.
As part of the Bulldogs’ inaugural NRLW side, Preston has taken on a key leadership role as co-captain, helping to establish standards and direction within a developing squad. Her connection to the club runs deeper than just her on-field role, shaped by growing up in a Bulldogs-supporting family in the club’s heartland.
Off the field, Preston remains closely connected to sport and community. She works with Sutherland Shire Senior Oztag, coordinating and running tournaments, and holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Her background across multiple formats of the game has contributed to her understanding and approach to performance.
Known for her personality as much as her performance, Preston’s pre-game ritual of fake tanning reflects her “look good, feel good, play good” mindset, a small but defining detail that captures her confidence and individuality.
With experience, leadership and a strong technical foundation, Preston continues to play an important role in shaping the Bulldogs and contributing to the growth of the NRLW.
Cherine Fahd, The Captains [Tayla Kicking], 2026, black-and-white digital image, commissioned by Harvey Norman in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2026