Maria Paseka is one of the most exciting young wingers emerging in the women’s game, quickly earning a reputation as a dynamic finisher and high‑impact winger. A product of the Kiama Knights and the Illawarra pathways, Paseka rose through the Steelers system with standout form, including scoring a try in the 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final victory.

Her rapid development continued into senior football, graduating to the Steelers Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership squad in 2024, where she impressed immediately, scoring four tries across back‑to‑back games and showcasing her speed, footwork, and natural attacking instincts. Coaches praised her work ethic and the “little extras” she consistently puts in behind the scenes.

Paseka also excelled at representative level, scoring tries in NSW Under‑19s State of Origin victories in both 2024 and 2025, further underlining her talent as a clutch performer on big stages.

She made her NRLW debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2024 and stepped into a larger role the following season. Across the 2025 NRLW campaign, Paseka scored three tries in four appearances, producing explosive running metres, multiple line breaks, and double‑digit tackle‑break games, the hallmark indicators of a rising star in the competition.

Her international emergence has been just as impressive. In 2025, Paseka debuted for Fiji, scoring four tries in two Test matches, immediately establishing herself as a major threat on the international stage.