Rugby league Immortal’s ancestry turning heads in maiden WBBL campaign

An ancestor of rugby league Immortal and Aussie sporting icon Dave Brown is turning heads on the field, but not with the Steeden.

The ancestry of rugby league Immortal Dave Brown is turning heads on the field, but not with the Steeden.

Olivia Porter made her Women’s Big Bash League debut for the Sydney Thunder last week, scoring a gritty 17 not out against the Hobart Hurricanes in a low-scoring affair at Blacktown International Sportspark.

The 20-year-old all-rounder is a descendant of Australian sporting royalty — Brown was one of rugby league’s most prolific try-scorers while representing the Eastern Suburbs, New South Wales and Australia between the wars.

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He was dubbed “the Bradman of league” for his record-breaking feats, an appropriate moniker considering he also found success in cricket.

Brown was a representative cricketer in his youth, and just like Porter, was a talented batter who excelled in multiple sports.

“It’s good to know some of those genes have followed in my footsteps,” Porter laughed.

“I know his big values were putting the team first, and I think everyone who played with Dave Brown or knew of Dave Brown knew he was such a team player.

“He just put his head down and did the job for the team, whether he was playing for New South Wales, Australia or the Roosters.

“That’s what we need to kind of install into Sydney Thunder, and I think that’s something that I kind model myself around.”

The similarities don’t end there — Brown was plagued by injury setbacks early in his career, chopping off his thumb in a lawn-mowing accident before breaking his arm in a school football game, causing severe nerve damage and losing the use of two fingers in his right hand.

Meanwhile, Porter suffered a stress fracture during her maiden season with the Thunder, keeping her on the sidelines for several months.

Easts player Dave Brown. Pic News Limited Rugby League

Olivia Porter of the Thunder. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Porter’s family is packed with sporting talent — her parents played tennis at state level, while she predominantly competed in netball and football competitions during her youth.

But at an early age, Porter decided to focus her attention on cricket — it has become increasingly difficult for women to juggle commitments as a dual-athlete, and cricket provided a clear pathway to domestic and international success.

Porter is among the first batch of cricketers to break into the WBBL debut after watching the T20 competition as a child — she’s living proof that giving women’s sport the airtime it deserves will inspire the next generation.

“At that time when I was 14, there were so many female representative cricketers out there,” she said.

“That’s when the Big Bash started, you started seeing the (women’s) Ashes televised, and I think that’s what drew players like myself to leave their other sports and to really pursue cricket.

“That’s why it’s so successful now. You’re starting to see 18-year-olds and 16-year-olds debut for their respective clubs, and I think that’s what’s drawing those younger girls in.

“It just allows girls to have that opportunity to see what they can possibly do when they’re older.

“To reflect back as a 14-year-old, watching Ellyse Perry and Alex Blackwell on TV, to now run out with them, it’s something that’s really inspiring for lots of girls to come.”

Sam Bates of the Thunder presents a Thunder cap to debutant Olivia Porter. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Porter played a crucial role in the Thunder’s maiden victory of the season, cracking an unbeaten 17 off six deliveries against reigning champions the Perth Scorchers at the WACA on Saturday afternoon.

She smacked three consecutive boundaries off Scorchers seamer Lilly Mills in the 19th over and claimed a classy catch at mid-wicket to remove Australian superstar Beth Mooney, with the ladies in lime green ultimately clinching a crucial 25-run victory.

It was a much-needed turning point for the Thunder, who started their campaign with three straight losses in western Sydney, and Porter’s debut knock was the lone highlight in an otherwise forgettable first week for the Thunder.

“It was such a surreal experience, I’m still pinching myself,” Porter said.

“It’s such a reflective moment when you look back at everything you’ve done.

“It was such a nice feeling finally running out there with the girls and looking around at players like Rachael Haynes next to you, and also having your family in the grandstands.”

The Thunder will next face the Brisbane Heat at Allan Border Field on Tuesday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 6.15pm AEDT.

Originally published as Rugby league Immortal’s ancestry turning heads in maiden WBBL campaign