Fitzroy/Gracemere topples unbeaten Emu Park in Rockhampton Rugby League women’s comp
Coach Niccy Muller is confident her team is only going to get stronger as the season progresses. She explains why and reveals the player who is ‘the brains’ behind their game.
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Sharni Upton is the cornerstone upon which Fitzroy/Gracemere is building its push for a finals berth in the Rocky Rugby League women’s competition.
The workhorse forward has made a big impression on her return to the local ranks after another strong showing with the CQ Capras in the BMD Premiership.
In her first season with the Sharks she was instrumental in their upset win over the previously unbeaten Emu Park.
Upton’s versatility is a boon for coach Niccy Muller, who played the game-changer in the halves in Saturday’s 16-12 victory.
“Sharni really is the brains behind our game. She spearheads the whole team,” Muller said.
The Sharks have also been bolstered by attacking weapon and State of Origin player Emma Paki, who scored one of the four tries in the victory that ended Emu Park’s seven-game winning streak.
She played at lock, her match-up against Emu Park player/coach and two-time Indigenous All Stars rep Sarah Field a highlight of the hard-fought contest.
Muller said it was an important win, which place Fitzroy/Gracemere just one point outside the top four.
She is hoping it will help turn the momentum in her team’s favour after they were beaten on the buzzer by third-placed Rockhampton Brothers last week and next up face second-placed Wallabys in Gladstone.
Muller said her forward pack continued to produce the goods every week.
Pania Tane and Rhiannon Parsons were outstanding, as were their senior counterparts Katrina Willey and Shonel Pope who “never stopped”.
Muller said she was blessed with depth and positional options in her ranks this season.
“I’ve got a number of players that I can move around,” she said.
“We’ll continue to work on our strengths to make sure we’re getting the wins on the board and start moving up the ladder.
“I think we’re just going to get stronger as the season progresses.”
Rockhampton Rugby League women’s premiership ladder
1. Emu Park - 16 points
2. Wallabys - 14 points
3. Rocky Brothers - 13 points
4. Norths - 9 points
5. Fitzroy/Gracemere - 8 points
6. Tannum Sands - 6 points
7. Valleys - 6 points
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