| Birth date | 10 May 1993 (age 33) |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Gosford, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) |
| Weight | 68 kg (10 st 10 lb) |
| Club 1 | St George Illawarra |
| Year1start | 2018 |
| Appearances 1 | 3 |
| Tries 1 | 0 |
| Goals 1 | 0 |
| Fieldgoals 1 | 0 |
| Points 1 | 0 |
| Club 2 | Sydney Roosters |
| Year2start | 2019 |
| Year2end | 24 |
| Appearances 2 | 4 |
| Tries 2 | 2 |
| Goals 2 | 0 |
| Fieldgoals 2 | 0 |
| Points 2 | 8 |
| Club 3 | Leeds Rhinos |
| Year3start | 2025 |
| Year3end | present |
| Appearances 3 | 8 |
| Tries 3 | 9 |
| Goals 3 | 30 |
| Fieldgoals 3 | 0 |
| Points 3 | 96 |
| Teama | Prime Minister's XIII |
| Yearastart | 2018 |
| Appearancesa | 1 |
| Triesa | 0 |
| Goalsa | 0 |
| Fieldgoalsa | 0 |
| Pointsa | 0 |
| Teamb | New South Wales |
| Yearbstart | 2020 |
| Appearancesb | 1 |
| Triesb | 0 |
| Goalsb | 1 |
| Fieldgoalsb | 0 |
| Pointsb | 2 |
| Source | RLP |
Melanie Howard (born 10 May 1993) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds Rhinos in the RFL Women's Super League.
Primarily a , she is a New South Wales and Prime Minister's XIII representative.
Background
Born in Gosford, New South Wales, Howard played her junior rugby for the Northern Lakes Warriors.[1]
Playing career
St George Illawarra Dragons
In June 2018, Howard represented NSW Country at the inaugural Women's National Championships.[2]
On 31 July 2018, she signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.[3]
In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Dragons in a 4–30 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.[4]
Sydney Roosters
On 26 June 2019, she joined the Sydney Roosters NRLW team.[5]
On 25 October 2020, Howard started at in the Roosters' 10–20 NRLW Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos.[6]
Leeds Rhinos
On 17 March 2025 it was reported that she had signed for Leeds Rhinos in the RFL Women's Super League[7]
Representative
On 6 October 2018, she represented the Prime Minister's XIII in their 40–4 win over Papua New Guinea.[8]
In May 2019, she represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships.[9]
On 13 November 2020, she made her State of Origin debut for New South Wales in their 18–24 loss to Queensland.[10]
References
- ^ "Merewether's Mel Howard scores shot with St George Illawarra". Newcastle Herald. 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Women's Nationals the perfect Origin appetiser". NRL. 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Dragons finalise Women's Premiership squad with three signings". St George Illawarra Dragons. 31 July 2018.
- ^ "Late mail: Women's Premiership Round 1". St George Illawarra Dragons. 9 September 2018.
- ^ "Harden & Smith added to Roosters 2019 NRLW Squad". Sydney Roosters. 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Hall returns for NRLW Grand Final". Brisbane Broncos. 20 October 2020.
- ^ Lorraine Marsden (17 Mar 2025). "Leeds Rhinos sign former State of Origin player". Total RL
- ^ "13 Dragons named in Prime Minister's XIII squads". St George Illawarra Dragons. 26 September 2018.
- ^ "Line-ups named for Women's National Championships". NRL. 22 May 2019.
- ^ "Howard feeling the pressure". Sydney Morning Herald. 11 November 2020.