Wests Tigers | NRLW Leader
Kezie Apps grew up in Bega, where her connection to rugby league began at an early age. Introduced to the game by her father and older brothers, she played for the Bega Roosters before stepping away in her early teens due to the lack of pathways for girls in the game.
It wasn’t until her 20s, inspired by the Jillaroos, that Apps returned to rugby league with renewed purpose. Committing fully, she joined the Helensburgh Tigers, undertaking a five-and-a-half-hour commute each way to train and play, a reflection of her determination to pursue the sport at the highest level.
Junior Club: Bega Roosters JRLFC
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Second Row
Career Highlights:
- Illawarra Women’s Player of the Year
- 2 X NSWRL Women’s Player of the Year
- 2016 Dally M Player of the Year
- 2017 Bega Valley Young Citizen of the Year
- 2023 NSW Sky Blues Players’ Player Award
Kezie Apps’ rise through rugby league has been nothing short of remarkable, making her State of Origin debut for New South Wales within just two years of returning to the game and earning NSWRL Women’s Player of the Year honours. That same year, she debuted for the Jillaroos, quickly establishing herself as a powerful and instinctive forward, and going on to become a mainstay in representative rugby league for over a decade. In 2022, she was named co-captain of the Australian side, a testament to her leadership and influence within the game.
Across her career, Apps has built one of the most decorated resumes in women’s rugby league. A Dally M Female Player of the Year in 2016, she has consistently performed at the highest level, representing both New South Wales and Australia across multiple campaigns. She played a key role in guiding the St George Illawarra Dragons to their first NRLW Grand Final appearance in 2019 and has continued to make her mark at club level, including contributing to Wests Tigers’ premiership success in the Harvey Norman Women’s competition. Known for her physicality and consistency, she remains one of the game’s most respected and influential players.
Now a seasoned leader with the Wests Tigers, Apps not only brings experience on the field but has played a significant role in shaping the future of women’s rugby league. Having once stepped away due to limited opportunities, she has dedicated much of her career to strengthening development pathways, helping to create systems that connect grassroots players to the NRLW and support the continued growth of the game.
Cherine Fahd, The Captains [Kezie Posing for a School Portrait], 2026, black-and-white digital image, commissioned by Harvey Norman in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2026