Club rugby: Prem Women Team of the Week
Premier Women Club rugby: Who were the best performers from round 6? The list includes elite Bond University talent, a livewire from Sunnybank and a trio of pacy backs from University.
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The poor Brothers’ women players must feel like they have been through the ringer, the washing machine and then scuffled into the clothes dryer following the fortnight they have had.
Within the space of two weeks the Brothers’ girls have confronted the two top teams, Sunnybank and Bond Uni, who were on a collision course to play in the finals.
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The Brothers’ match against Sunnybank was a complete and utter wipe out, losing 83-nil, but against Bond last Saturday the 52-7 score did not reflect the effort the Brothers’ players put in.
Brothers were well beaten, but despite the absence of their best forward, Dorren Narokete, the side put up a spirited, united defensive effort across the opening half. But you cannot make tackles all day, can you?
While Brothers were left to pick up the pieces, Bond University and Sunnybank marched on.
They have met once this season with Bond winning 14-13, and a mouth watering rivalry will continue across the season.
Bond had a dozen imposing players, six of which we mention in this story highlighting Premier Women’s best round 6 performers.
ROUND 6 WONDERS
Grace Baker (Bond)
Brothers challenged hard across the field half and when their challenge was at its peak, breakaway Baker was a leading light for the Gold Coast girls. The Reds’ Super W player was physical at the breakdown and a great support player to a fallen ball carrier.
Dianne Waight (Bond)
With every touch the powerful Waight broke at least one tackle, but often two or three before coming to rest. If she was presented with the ball in the open, she would also use her speed to back herself in a foot race to the corner post. She scored two tries.
Melanie Wilks and Morgan Te Oka (Bond)
They were a dynamic duo with their power running and deft passing in attack. Both girls made full use of the glut of possession which flowed their way. Brothers were no pushovers in the mid field, with No.13 Crystal Mayes a particularly compelling opponent, but both girls finished well ahead on the count when the bell was rung in the 12th round.
Lucy Thorpe (Bond)
Both Bond locks were outstanding, with Thorpe’s ball winning and general play around the ruck particularly effective. She was like an extra loose forward with her athletic play complementing the expansive mood Bond Uni were in.
Cobie-Jane Morgan (Bond)
Cobie-Jane was like a captain coach, ushering her players left and right. You could almost see her mind ticking over, counting defenders to attackers before hoisting passes in the most appropriate direction. She would not have been out of place wearing a conductor’s cap.
Dillyn Blackburn (Wests)
Wests emerging lock Dillyn Blackburn was at her blistering best on Saturday in a gruelling contest with the Gallopers.
Blackburn took an enormous amount of hit ups, beat countless defenders with her first step and was a force on the defensive end.
She was damaging close to the line and was given a short break during the game before being called back onto the field when GPS crept back into the contest.
Ashlee Knight (Wests)
The headgear wearing lock, like Blackburn, put in a ton of work with the ball in hand.
Through the middle of the field, Knight was ferocious, with safe hands.
Hana Lane (Wests)
The classy flanker popped up when the Bulldogs needed it, at the breakdown or with a huge defensive play.
She was a menace with her pilfers and destructive in the wider channels running like an outside back.
Losalio Sita Payne (GPS)
The Norths Devils BMD forward returned to her beloved GPS side and was a midfield terror at inside centre.
Better for the experience in the BMD premiership, powerhouse ball runner Payne was a handful to bring down and attracted multiple Wests defenders whenever she attacked the line.
She was just what GPS needed through the middle. Without her contribution, the game would not have been as close.
Sereima Leweniqila (GPS)
No.8 Lewniqila was Payne’s partner in crime, especially in the first half where her runs from the back of the scrum had GPS looking dangerous.
She was heroic on defence, superb with her offloads and a leader when she ran the ball hard.
Amelia Brown (GPS)
GPS’ fearless line out winner was in her prime again, pinching line out possession and making breaks with her deceptive speed and step.
Bolstered by strapping tape around her head, Brown would have come away with bruises such was her willingness to do the dirty work.
Nat Wright (University)
We are looking at a player worthy of a run in the Wallaroos side.
The livewire University utility is in the form of her life and added to her ever increasing try tally with a hattrick last weekend with all tries incredible.
Tess Littleton (University)
A brilliant finisher with tremendous ball skills, Littleton torched her rivals with three tries.
One of them was special and because of Littleton and Co, University is one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season.
Greta Gowen (University)
Like Wright, Gowen can play any position coach Savelio Savelio needs her to.
Halfback, fullback, in the centres, on the wings, even flanker she could do it.
Gowen is electric off the mark and has untapped potential.
Wynonah Conway (Brothers)
Brothers were better than the scoreboard indicated, but they did get beaten 52-7 and out of the wreckage climbed halfback Wynonah Conway. She did a lot of mopping up in defence and cover tackling.
She was also able to scoop up rushed or untidy possession on to her teammates.
Crystal Mayes (Brothers)
She was starved of the ball but you can see if her side retained even 40 per cent possession, Mayes could be a weapon at outside centre. Mayes was also a strong defender.
Ana Afuie (Sunnybank)
Sunnybank scrumhalf Afuie returned after missing two weeks with a bang.
The livewire scrumhalf gave the ‘Bank a lift in a physical encounter with Easts, sparking the side with her sniping runs and brilliant service.
Sera Koroi (Sunnybank)
The power game of Dragons midfielder Koroi was excellent, relieving pressure of her side when Easts were closing in on their goal line.
The ex-Cowboys NRLW ace was lethal in rucking Sunnybank out of trouble and into Easts’ half.
Moega Wright (Sunnybank)
The ‘Bank ploughed on towards their goal of minor premiership and more importantly the premiership and helping them tick another rival off the list was lock Wright.
Like Koroi, Wright gave Sunnybank a point of difference with her running game.
Loretta Lealiifano (Easts)
Beast midfielder Lealiifano continued to move mountains for her side with a first class showing against premiership contenders Sunnybank.
Her passing was crisp and running game hard to contain.
Agnes Solofa (Souths)
Talk about a captains knock. This inspirational Magpies fullback worked wonders for Souths against a fast University outfit.
Saane Ahokava (Souths)
Matching Nena Williamson (UQ) and Co, Ahokava met force with force in the second row.
She was one and a half players for 70 minutes.
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