Seven competitions and 46 players: State votes the best 1st grade women’s rugby league player in Qld
Who is Queensland’s best first grade women’s rugby league player? We asked league fans to cast their vote from a field of 46 players. See the full results from our online poll here.
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Women’s rugby league is taking huge strides forward in Queensland.
With more pathways opening up, the dream of making it to the big time is becoming more of a reality for the state’s players who ply their trade in A-grade competitions across the state.
News Corp compiled a list of the best first-grade women’s players from Queensland’s major competitions and we have crowned the state’s best club footballer from your 539 votes.
See the percentage of votes each player polled below.
WHO POLLED THE MOST, WITH THEIR CLUB AND THE COMPETITION THEY PLAY IN
1. Emma Wood (Herbert River Crushers, Townsville): 8 per cent
Tied 2nd. Jess Powell (Rockhampton Brothers, Rockhampton): 7 per cent
Tied 2nd. Sharni Upton (Yeppoon, Rockhampton): 7 per cent
3rd. Lyrech Mara (Brothers, Townsville): 6 per cent
Tied 4th. Krystal Hardin (Rockhampton Brothers, Rockhampton): 5 per cent
Tied 4th. Zoe Mackay (Blackwater, Rockhampton): 5 per cent
Tied 5th. Jordii Mahendrarajah (Centrals Tigers, Townsville): 4 per cent
Tied 5th. Makayla Henry (Caloundra, Sunshine Coast): 4 per cent
ROCKHAMPTON RUGBY LEAGUE
Jess Powell (Rockhampton Brothers): 7 per cent
Was the shining light for Brothers through the RRL finals campaign and played a big part in the team winning the 2021 premiership. She carried her strong form with the Capras in the BHP Premiership into the local competition. Her organisational skills at halfback were sublime and her defence against bigger, hard-running forwards was outstanding.
Bree Spreadborough (Rockhampton Brothers): 3 per cent
Dynamic fullback whose running game is outstanding. She makes plenty of metres on the kick return and her attacking ability is hard to counter. Spreadborough’s defence is equally as impressive and she’s a player who never shies away from doing the hard yards, even putting her hand up to play in the forwards. She also had a successful season with the Capras in the women’s statewide competition.
Krystal Hardin (Rockhampton Brothers): 5 per cent
The classy centre finished the regular season as RRL’s top try scorer with 14. Her blinding speed allows her to turn every half break into a try scoring opportunity from anywhere on the field. She was lethal in attack and one of the most damaging runners in the competition.
Sarah Field (Emu Park): 3 per cent
The talented halfback returned after a successful campaign with the North Gold Stars in the BHP Premiership and was instrumental in Emu Park’s run to the RRL grand final. She was the centre of everything that happened at the Parkies. A brutal defender who is dynamic in attack, she boasts a great kicking game and directs her team well around the park.
Samartha Leisha (Emu Park): 1 per cent
An experienced campaigner who helped guide Emu Park’s younger forward pack in the right direction. Her carries and runs are huge and she was dominant in attack and defence. She scored plenty of tries courtesy of her incredible leg drive and her sheer strength.
Sharni Upton (Yeppoon): 7 per cent
Second rower turned half, Upton’s experience and understanding of the game saw her lead Yeppoon to the RRL semi-finals. Highly skilled, she has an incredible ability to read the game.
Meg Neven (Yeppoon): 2 per cent
The hard-running lock is recognised as one of the most courageous in the RRL competition. A strong runner of the ball, she is able to beat defenders and is more than a handful to tackle one-on-one. An absolute workhorse, she’s tough, has speed, agility and all the attributes of an outstanding footballer.
Krystal Sulter (Tannum Sands): 2 per cent
Tough as nails, Sulter is a pocket rocket who filled a variety of positions in 2021, from fullback to five-eighth and hooker. An inspirational skipper, she can provide the spark her team needs when the chips are down. She is involved in everything on the field and gives 100 percent every time she takes the field.
Mia-Carla Fisher (Wallabys): 1 per cent
Fisher capped a standout season by being named Wallabys’ player of the year. The hard-working lock leads by example, giving 110 per cent in every game. She has a great ability to read the play and her powerful tackling ability is one of her greatest strengths.
Zoe Mackay (Blackwater): 5 per cent
In her first season as captain, Mackay was an inspiration for her teammates with her never-say-die attitude and her on-field ability. She was able to put her team on the front foot with her effortless kicking game and her speed, strength and power. She has the defensive ability of a front rower and the ball skills of a five-eighth.
Jean McKinley (Fitzroy/Gracemere): 3 per cent
McKinley was a shining light this season, going on to be named RRL women’s player of the season. She has the ability to cover many positions on the field. She can take the game by the scruff of the neck and steer her team in the right direction. She represented the Rocky Rustlers at the 47th Battalion this year and was named in the merit side.
Nataliah Backo (Norths): 1 per cent
The hard-working teenage forward made a big impression in her first season of A-grade. A natural footballer, she is a consistent performer week in week out. Backo has all the skills which make her a natural footballer. She was named Norths’ best and fairest and is definitely one to watch.
CAIRNS DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE
Codi Daley (Kangaroos): 0 per cent
The pint-sized hooker just does not know the meaning of slow down. An Energizer bunny on the field, Daley played a key role in Kangaroos’ march to the premiership in the first CDRL Women’s competition in a decade. Daley, who was on the fringe of North Queensland Gold Stars selection, was a runner-up for the CDRL’s inaugural Deb Gallop Medal for best and fairest.
Joanna Kerr (Ivanhoes): 3 per cent
By far and away the most consistent footballer in the Far North, the experienced Kerr’s selection as CDRL Deb Gallop Medal winner was a shock only to her. Kerr has starred in both rugby codes over her years. She’s a hard runner of the football, a tireless defender, has outstanding vision, knows how to get the best out of young players and is a genuine leader on and off the pitch.
Angela Barley (Innisfail): 1 per cent
Barley is a rising playmaker who has been part of the North Queensland Cowboys Women’s Academy and played for the Northern Pride in the QRL’s Harvey Norman Under-19 competition. Despite her age – she is still a teenager – she is an undeniable rugby league talent. A strong ball runner with an astute kicking game, Barley has great game awareness and has been playing beyond her years in her local competitions.
Jarketta Smith (Edmonton): 2 per cent
A promising utility who can play in the halves or at lock, Smith is equally at home setting up tries as she is getting through a mountain of work in the middle. But the Edmonton Storm women’s best and fairest winner doesn’t just set up tries, she has a knack for scoring them as well. Smith was a standout for the Northern Pride in the QRL Harvey Norman Under-19s competition, taking on a third playmaker or roving lock role.
Elyssa Clark (Atherton): 1 per cent
She is considered a halfback but could play in any position on the field. One of the more gifted rugby league players in the Far North, the “special” 19-year-old showed what she was capable of despite the Roosters’ struggles with player numbers, keeping the Tablelands team competitive in a tough year.
Uleta Miller (Yarrabah): 1 per cent
As one of her team’s most consistent performers, Miller is a powerful runner of the ball with the ability to bust open any opposing side. Her work rate is astonishing and it doesn’t matter whether it is attack or defence, she just gives 100 per cent effort on every play. Miller also showed the way for the Seahawks with her leadership on the field and has been a rock for the side with her toughness.
TOWNSVILLE DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE
Emma Wood (Herbert River Crushers): 8 per cent
The skilful back-rower was judged the Crushers’ player of the year in their inaugural season in the women’s division. She was one of the driving forces behind entering a team in 2021 and finished the year with seven tries in the TDRL. Wood also played with the Blackhawks under-19s and was a fringe player in the North Queensland Gold Stars squad for the inaugural BHP Premiership. She refused to give an inch to her opponents and always played the game at full throttle.
Steph Monday (Burdekin Roosters): 3 per cent
One part of the Burdekin’s Monday sisterhood, Steph took over at halfback after her twin Martina left the field to have a baby. Monday directed the Roosters around the park, and defied her softly spoken voice to be a true leader of the squad. Roosters’ president and water runner Mick Brombal described the enigmatic halfback as a ‘trainer’s nightmare’. “She just had this uncanny ability when nothing was happening she would make something happen. Next thing you’d look up and she would be through the line and you have to run full pelt with the water bottle to meet her at the tryline.”
Jordii Mahendrarajah (Centrals Tigers): 4 per cent
After spending time in the North Queensland Gold Stars and Blackhawks under-19s squads, Mahendrarajah came back to the Centrals Tigers to ignite their Townsville District Rugby League finals campaign. She showed plenty of athleticism and desire to get the better of opposition forward packs. The young forward has a will to win and was one of the best trainers in the Tigers’ squad who helped lift the players around her.
Lyrech Mara (Brothers): 6 per cent
The competition’s leading try-scorer is a natural born leader who spent most of the season showing the way for the grand finalists. Mara is a high impact player both in defence and attack and always made a difference in every game she played. The forward was unstoppable close to the tryline and finished the season as the competition’s leading try-scorer with 28. She almost single-handedly turned the grand final in Brothers’ favour and was awarded the TDRL women’s player of the year award.
Rudie Bowen (Western Lions): 3 per cent
The enigmatic fullback has the ability to cut open defensive lines with a surgical precision. But she is also crucial to the premiers defensive work, with Bowen the loudest voice on the field marshalling her troops from the backfield. The wife of NRL legend Matty Bowen, Rudie showed a running style and skill to match that of the former Cowboys great and finished the season as third-best on the TDRL try-scorers ranks with 10. She regularly chimed into the Lions attacking structures helping to set up her outside players on multiple occasions. The Lions finished the season as undefeated premiers and Bowen was a crucial part of that success.
Jess Steel (Norths Devils): 0 per cent
The halfback was a cut above the rest with regards to her ability levels on the field this season. She has done a lot of work with the Gold Stars in their training squads, but just hasn’t been given that opportunity to go to that next level. Devils coaching coordinator Karl Adams is adamant she has the ability to go to the next level and suggested “there is not much that she can’t really do”. Steel started her footballing life as a fullback but has transitioned to the halves with her communication and vision crucial to the Devils attacking structures. She also possesses a top tier passing and kicking game and can change the complexion of a game with her right boot.
Shirika Toby (Charters Towers Miners): 2 per cent
Toby has been relentless in her work off the field to bring her conditioning up to a level where she was competitive against the rest of the competition. She plays a very aggressive style in both attack and defence and had an outstanding year on the field. She delivers nothing short of 100 per cent when she has a go on the field, and she has shown a dedication to improving on the field. She has been one of the club’s biggest improvers on the field this season and president Jeffrey Burton was adamant she would push for representative selection next season.
RUGBY LEAGUE MACKAY AND DISTRICT
Vanique Malayta (Mackay Brothers): 1 per cent
A barnstorming prop who made her BHP Premiership debut for the North Queensland Gold Stars, Malayta enjoyed a strong Rugby League Mackay and District season with her eight tries leaving her equal third across the competition. The 19 year old was an important factor for her side‘s grand final win, and has announced herself as the premier prop in Mackay.
Kortney Deguara (Souths Sharks): 3 per cent
A very skilful outside back, Deguara had a breakout season for the Sharks in 2021. Her consistent form for Souths has given her a great opportunity to make the Gold Stars squad in 2022.
Xanthe Topping (Carltons Devils): 1 per cent
The talented lock relocated from Townsville in 2021 and exceeded her reputation in the Mackay competition. She was ruthless in defence while also providing a great option in attack for the newly-formed Carltons team that fell short in the preliminary finals.
Kirsten Sutherland (Sarina Crocs): 0 per cent
A versatile forward, Sutherland was patchy in her form throughout the season but on her day was a top player across the competition. If she can nail down that consistency Sutherland will be a top player in the RLMD.
Mikalea Gee (Mackay Magpies): 1 per cent
A talented player who made the transition from touch football to rugby league, Gee is a dominant player across multiple positions. Gee best fit into the hooker role in 2021, helping the Magpies secure a grand final spot from a fifth-placed finish the year before. A heartbreaking loss ruined a perfect run, but Gee‘s eye-catching display in the grand final was enough to turn heads across the competition.
Levinia Robinson (Moranbah Miners): 1 per cent
Robinson sometimes struggled with injuries during her season, but once she was on the park she was arguably the most dominant halfback in the competition. A highly skilled and naturally talented player, Robinson enjoyed a strong season for the Miners in 2021, scoring six tries and finishing second in total points scored across the competition.
SUNSHINE COAST GYMPIE RUGBY LEAGUE
A’Eisha Jeffs (Nambour): 2 per cent
Hooker who was Rugby League Sunshine Coast‘s women’s best and fairest player of the year. She is an exceptional defender and can normally get through 30/40 tackles a game quite easily. She is one of the best team players as well, she encourages them all and distributes the ball quite well. Jeffs also played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons under-19 team this year.
Emily Garrett (Noosa): 0 per cent
She is a hard tackler, hard runner and just excelled all over the field. She is good at breaking the line and leadership is a big thing for Garrett. The second rower talks and leads by example
Makayla Henry (Caloundra): 4 per cent
The fullback is lethal in attack and was top try and points scorer in the open women‘s competition this season. She crossed the line for 25 tries and amassed 100 points. Her speed and agility are great as is her thinking and line running. It’s her first year in rugby league after representing Sunshine Coast and Queensland in Rugby 7s.
Taleah Molloy (Caboolture): 1 per cent
Molloy is a good all round player with sturdy defence and potent attacking skills. The lock’s defence was a standout with a really good tackle technique which the opposition felt the hard way. She is the lifeblood of the team, when she is up, everyone else is up.
Abbey Templeman (Beerwah): 1 per cent
The five-eighth is a good leader and has a big voice. She knows how to attack and she knows how to tackle and tackling hard was one of her things. When she hit someone she hit them pretty hard.
Renee Hireme (Kawana): 2 per cent
The front rower leads from the front in attack and is always taking the ball forward. Her best quality is her leadership - she‘s only a young girl but she is captain and leads by example. She is great in defence too, she pulls off massive shots on the opposition and they don’t like running near her.
Caite Sing (Gympie): 2 per cent
She is very versatile and can play anywhere from back row to five-eighth. She is strong with the ball and can tackle aggressively. Sing competes on every effort, is highly motivated and her performances were inspiration to teammates
TOOWOOMBA RUGBY LEAGUE
Amanda Hinch (Warwick Cowboys): 1 per cent
The fullback stamped her authority as one of the most electric players in the competition. Led the Toowoomba Rugby League season in tries, including six in one match. Represented the Western Mustangs at under-19 level and has an extremely bright future.
Courtney Robinson (Gatton Hawks): 1 per cent
Named as the TRL‘s player of the year and for good reason. In a premiership team of stars, fullback Robinson was a standout with her experience coming to the fore. Classy with the ball in hand and a good organiser in defence.
Emily Young (Newtown Lions): 1 per cent
A big name who returned home in 2021, halfback Young played a big part in Newtown getting to a preliminary final. A strong director of her players, Young‘s game management and poise in pressure situations have her in the top echelon of players.
Courtney-Lee Nolan (Gatton Hawks): 2 per cent
Nolan is a promising star on the rise. Was simply unstoppable in helping Gatton to a grand final victory, earning player of the game honours. It capped a big season for the Western Mustangs and Hawks where the half/hooker was a star.
Tegan Gibbs (Newtown Lions): 1 per cent
The Newtown skipper and prop always leads by example, helping to get her team on the front foot with strong carries and one of the better offloads in the competition. Always hard to bring down and adds spark to the Lions’ pack.
SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Sinead Horo (Ormeau Shearers): 0 per cent
Ormeau’s players’ player award winner for 2021, Horo is an incredibly versatile fullback who can do it all for her side. With a passing game the envy of many a No.6 or No.7, Horo can launch a ball halfway across the field to open up gaps in the defence. She’s also not afraid to roll up her sleeves and take the tough carries out of defence to help her tiring forwards. A true workhorse with a touch of class.
Theresa Enoka (Ormeau Shearers): 0 per cent
Ormeau’s captain and club best and fairest winner, Enoka finished as the SEQW Premiership’s leading point scorer owing to her incredible accuracy from the tee. While not the flashiest of playmakers, Enoka is a more than capable halfback who leads her team around the park and puts Ormeau in attacking positions at every opportunity. She’s one of the best one-on-one defenders in the SEQW competition - incredible for a No.7.
Keri-Jade Robertson (Runaway Bay): 1 per cent
An athlete regarded as Runaway Bay’s Ms Fix-It who was able to steer the Seagulls to the SEQW Premiership in 2021. The captain played nearly every position on the field this season, boasting a body that can match it with the big forwards and the ball-playing ability to pull the strings in the halves. Did we mention she is the side’s kicker as well?
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