Tale of two halves: Wentworthville holds out fast-finishing Milperra to earn crown as Sydney’s best
Wentworthville has climbed to the summit of women’s rugby league with a thrilling grand final victory. Catch up on every result from NSWRL women’s grand final weekend at Belmore Oval.
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Wentworthville are queens of the Sydney local footy after a grand final win for the ages.
On a bumper weekend of girls and womens grand finals at Belmore Oval, it was the Magpies who took out the coveted NSWRL Metro Combined Open Women’s Gold title.
It was a tale of two halves, with the Magpies blitzing Milperra to the tune of 22-0 in the first, before the Colts stormed home to get to within four points, but ultimately falling short 22-18.
Coach Judy-May Peni said it was a role reversal on how the season has generally played out, with a few nervous moments at the end.
“All season we’ve been waiting until the second half to get back into it,” Peni said.
“We came out all guns blazing and led 22-0. In the second we got a bit complacent, there were some penalties that didn’t go our way and Milperra were catching up.
“We got a bit nervous because we knew they were a fit and fast side with a lot of Bulldogs Tarsha Gale girls.
“All through the week we worked on not letting them beat us around the edges and our girls did a good job of that.”
Halfback and captain Kailey Thompson was named player of the match for her role in guiding the Magpies around the park.
Peni said she hopes this is the first step on the journey of players who are looking to take their football further.
“I want them to go away with what they’ve achieved and am hoping they can go to the next level,” she said.
“A few haven’t played Harvey and I’m looking forward to them trying out for teams.
“That’s what I enjoy as a coach.”
The future of All Saints Toongabbie looks bright, with the Parramatta side claiming wins in both the U16s Gold and U18s.
43 PLAYERS TO WATCH ON GF WEEKEND
The future stars of the women’s game are on show across two massive days of grand final action at Belmore Oval.
NSWRL girls and women’s conferences come to a conclusion this weekend with seven games from U14s right through to open women, showcasing the next generation of elite talents.
We look at the 43 female players to watch across all grades.
UNDER 14s
Sarah Alameddine (Wentworthville)
Lock
The team captain who is strong in both defence and attack. Has explosive power and energy, and is someone that gives 100 per cent each and every game.
Selene Koi-Ngaruhe (Wentworthville)
Centre
A dynamic edge player out in the centres. Dynamic edge player. Strong in both defence and attack. Very versatile and can play multiple positions.
Hayloh Talagi (Wentworthville)
Second row
An explosive ballrunner who is also great defensively. Once she gets her hands on the ball she is away. A quiet player on and off the field, but she lets her actions do the talking.
Serenity Tuainekore (Wentworthville)
Five-eighth
Playing at five-eighth for the first time this season and has adjusted to the change with ease. A strong defender who can lay on a big shot when the opportunity presents.
Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard (Cabramatta)
Second row
An edge player known best for her blistering runs, hitting the defensive line at speed and causing absolute havoc on the field. Strong player who makes a big impact.
Ulata Falemoe (Cabramatta)
Lock
Ulata has exceptional skills in the middle. Currently leads the competition in scoring with 28 tries, has damaging runs and her powerful carries make her hard to contain.
Bauline Kalolo (Cabramatta)
Prop
Bauline is quite the formidable Prop. Is still a year young for her age group and lays on some massive bone-rattling tackles that can be heard from the sideline.
Temieke Withers (Hills)
Halfback
She’s a very good director of the team who gets the side around the park well. She has a great passing game and ability to break a game open. Solid in defence too.
Isabelle Bell (Hills)
Middle
Adds some very strong go-forward to the team. Has a very good tackle technique and a hard runner of the football. Leads from the front and looks to be going places in footy.
Taylah Barr (Hills)
Outside back
Blessed with speed and great evasive qualities. Another who tackles well and is someone that can open the game up for Hills at crucial moments.
Olivia Harrison (Kellyville)
Front row
Hard running and a hard worker, defends all over the field as she can read the play well. A great team player and loved by all her teammates. Always turns up ready and with a good attitude.
Claudelle Hawea (Kellyville)
Centre
Has plenty of guts, grit and determination. Works hard in both attack and defence. One of the top try scorers in the competition. Gives up size to opponents but plays with a lot of heart.
Georgia Nassif (Kellyville)
Second row
Another one who plays with alot of heart, also not the biggest player on the field but plays with determination and hard running. In attack and defence she loves to get in and have a go.
UNDER 16s
Danielle Seckold (All Saints Toongabbie)
Fullback
Danielle’s biggest attribute is her ability talk from the back. She organises the defensive line really well. She’s also very busy in attack, has a lot of tough carries from the red zone and also runs a great line.
Alaianne Toia (All Saints Toongabbie)
Prop
Alaianne is the leader of the forward pack. She carries the ball with a lot of aggression, but also has great late footwork. She possesses a lot of skill as well and can pass both before the line or after contact.
Waiaria Ellis (All Saints Toongabbie)
Halfback
Waiaria is the little general of the team. She has great game awareness and leads the team around the field really well. She has great footwork, vision and speed.
Ava Jones (All Saints Toongabbie)
Hooker
Ava’s speed around the ruck is outstanding. She brings her forwards onto the ball really well and her service is top notch. She is one of the smallest in the team but her defence is always strong.
Tyra Dymock (Narraweena)
Centre
Tyra is a strong runner and she knows how to run a hole. She is quick and has great defence, causing headaches for the opposition on an edge.
Siulolo Richter (Narraweena)
Lock
Siulolo is a very strong, powerful body and has a solid defensive game. Gets a lot of work done in the middle of the field.
Talea Tonga (Narraweena)
Halfback
Talea has a very good IQ for the game. She communicates well, she’s very quick on her feet and defensively she is strong.
UNDER 18s
Rastalia Smith (La Perouse)
Halfback
Rastalia is a very crafty halfback that loves to take the ball to the line and create havoc for her opposition, keeping her options open at the line. She’s a very talented player.
Tahlya Dower (La Perouse)
Fullback
Tahlya is a very skilful fullback with a lot of pace to burn. She will put the opposition defenders in two minds and lead the way from the back.
Kirrawahn Duckett (La Perouse)
Second Row
Kirrawahn is a very strong ball runner with amazing footwork. She can also pull off some of the biggest hits you’ll ever see and is lethal on an edge.
Tyra Ekepati (Bondi United)
Five-eighth
Tyra plays in the halves with great skills and shows leadership on and off the field, she is fast elusive and is strong in defence. Part of the Roosters Pathways program and is eyeing off higher honours.
Imogen Hei (Bondi United)
Hooker
Moved to Sydney from Queensland to chase her dream of playing NRLW. Imogen can play half or hooker. She is a smart nippy hooker who plays fast and can think quick. Defensively she is strong, loves the physicality of the game and was a Tarsha Gale Cup winner with the Roosters.
Eliza Lopamaua (Bondi United)
Second row
Also from Queensland, a tough forward who challenges herself in every game to be better than her last. Eliza is a damaging runner, very physical defender who thrives on big games. She has speed strength and is committed to being the best she can be by leading her team not only with words of motivation but also by her actions on the field. Also part of the Tarsha Gale winning side.
Kalisi Maha (All Saints Toongabbie)
Prop/Second row
Kalisi is a player that gives effort upon effort and loves the physical contact. Kalisi is very strong in defence, controls the middle and is the backbone to our forward pack.
Ryvrr-Lee Alo (All Saints Toongabbie)
Second row/Lock
Ryvrr has the ability to play multiple positions and is a very strong ball runner and defender. Ryvrr’s vision and strong wide running opens up opportunities for the players around her.
Caitlin Peadon (All Saints Toongabbie)
Centre
Caitlan has speed to burn and when put into a gap takes full advantage. Is happy to get in and take those hard runs also when coming out of our defensive end. The team’s leading try scorer this year.
Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili (All Saints Toongabbie)
Centre
Mariah is a no frills player and is strong in defence and attack. Mariah brings the X-factor as she will pop up any where to be involved and take full advantage of the players around her.
OPEN WOMEN
Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville)
Prop
A powerhouse forward with her ability to break lines and eat up metres through the middle.
Defends just as great as her attack, big crunching hits that make the crowd go wild. Despite her position as a front rower, she has a great boot on her giving them a long kicking range.
Natalina Suaalii (Wentworthville)
Centre
Excellent in both defence and attack. Reads the game well when defending, strengthening the edge defence and is a great ball runner with a fend to match. A versatile player who can be slotted in at numerous positions in the middle pack.
Rebecca O’Brien (Wentworthville)
Wing
First year playing rugby league, transferring over from playing AFL and has been dominating with her defence on the edge. Speed like lightning, if give her space and she’s gone. Has worked all season on pressure under high ball and has been doing a great job for the team.
Luisa Yaranamua (St Christopher’s)
Halfback
The captain who brings years of experience and knowledge of the game to organise the team on the field. A true leader on and off the field who gets it done from the front.
Grace Li (St Christopher’s)
Lock
A player that simply doesn’t stop, getting through a mountain of work in the middle. Plays at 100 per cent every game and has the highest workrate in the team.
Nesia Ben (St Christopher’s)
Second row
Another strong worker in the team out on an edge in the back row. Puts her body on the line every time she steps on the field and never stops.
Courageous Afoa (St Christopher’s)
Utility
An athletic and fast player who is a great asset to the team. A versatile utility who can fill in at hooker, in the centres or halves, giving them a great strike weapon.
Kasey Quye (Glenmore Park)
Hooker
Kasey directs the team around the park with excellent passing service and vision. Very solid middle defender whom regularly finishes as one of the teams top tacklers each week.
Claire Kennedy (Glenmore Park)
Front row/Lock
Claire is a tireless middle forward who weekly rolls up the sleeves and gets the job done with hard work. Strong carries in attack and regularly tops the tackle count with great defence.
Kaiyah Atai (Glenmore Park)
Centre/Second row
Kaiyah is very strong and confident in both attack and defence, and loves to roam out wide on her right edge creating opportunities when they present. Always gives 100 per cent and her confidence and athleticism is a valuable asset to the team.
Abigayle Sekitoga (Milperra)
Fullback
A talented fullback who can also kick goals when needed. Guides the team from the back very well and can kick goals when required. Athletic and brings two years of Tarsha Gale experience to the side.
Ambryn Murphy-Haua (Milperra)
Outside back
Versatile player who can fill in a number of positions, including the halves. Not the biggest player but is strong defensively, as well as being fearless. Will add a big impact from the interchange.
Bella McEachern (Milperra)
Outside back
Another outside back with speed to burn and can get her team onto the front foot with valuable carries out of their own end. Was one of Penrith’s most consistent throughout the Tarsha Gale season.
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