The invite came late but Ana dazzled at debutant's ball

Have talent, will travel.

From Darwin to Townsville to Suva to Las Vegas to Sydney, it has been a whirlwind 12 months for Cowboys rookie Ana Malupo and her family.

After joining North Queensland on a development contract last year, Malupo played for Tonga in October's Pacific Championships in Fiji and represented Northern Territory Titans at February's NRL Vegas 9s.

She even got to present Jakiya Whitfeld with her Jillaroos jersey before Australia's 90-4 thumping of England at Allegiant Stadium - and then replaced the Cowboys star in her NRLW debut at Sharks Stadium.

"It feels so good to be able to finally run out there," Malupo said. "Some of my family came down - my mum and my aunty - from Darwin.

"My siblings and dad couldn't make it, and my grandparents, so I am glad they could watch me on TV."  

For Malupo's mother, it was a 1.30am start to travel from Darwin to Sydney to watch her daughter debut against the Sharks after receiving a late call-up to replace Whifteld. 

Malupo started playing league in her early teens but with limited opportunities in the Northern Territory, she played other sports while growing up.

After moving to Townsville from Darwin for her final year of high school in 2023 she joined the Cowboys system last season.

"I only started playing footy when I was in high school, maybe like Year 8, and I started out with union and touch, not even league," Malupo said.

“I moved over in 2023 and finished my last year of school then got my first development contract with the Cowboys last year.

"I'm so grateful to be playing for the club that I do play for. The coaches, the staff, they’re all amazing, and the girls all get around you.

"It was good coming to Townsville and getting this experience. I’m really proud to say I'm from the Cowboys.”

North Queensland coach Ricky Henry said Malupo had shown plenty of composure at Sharks Stadium after only being called into the backline 24 hours before kick-off. 

“I'm just so proud, her mother came down today, all the way from Darwin," Henry said.

"It was a massive trip, they left at 1.30am, they got down here and I was just glad that she was able to put on a really good performance and see her mother at the same time.”

The debutant winger impressed in North Queensland's 18-16 defeat of the Sharks, finishing with two line breaks, three tackle breaks and six kick defusals.

“Ana’s been in our program for 12 months now, and one thing about her is whenever there's a challenge put in front of her, she rises to the occasion," Henry said.

"She stepped up, which we always knew she was going to do and that was awesome."

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