Southern Corridor Open women’s finals: 18 game changers looking to inspire to premiership glory
The inaugural finals series for the Southern Corridor Open women’s competition has kicked off with numerous footy stars shining. Check out some of the talent you need to keep an eye on.
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The elimination finals got underway in the inaugural Southern Corridor Open Women’s Tackle competition over the weekend, meaning two teams have progressed to the semi-finals and two teams have been sent packing.
The Stingrays of Shellharbour marched onwards with a 30-8 win over the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas, thanks to two tries from damaging prop forward Tiana Kore who “leads through her actions from the front” according to coach Paul Peters.
Young gun Jordyn Preston also found her way to the try line, a player who coach Peters said was “unlucky not to be playing NRLW this season.”
Winger Erin Reay and halfback Georgia Scott also found the try line for the Stingrays, while Keeley Kopara scored both tries for the Gorillas.
Meanwhile, Como Jannali eliminated the Jamberoo Superoos with a 22-0 victory, with Bianca Cutrupi, Sienna Stewart and Brooke Elliot the try scorers as the shire side march on in the competition.
The Stingrays now face a mighty test in the form of the undefeated Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs, while Como Jannali take on the equally threatening Corrimal Cougars.
Players to watch in finals series
History is set to be made over the next few weeks as finals kick off in the inaugural Southern Corridor Open Women’s Tackle competition.
Ten teams have been cut down to six ahead of the elimination finals kicking off this weekend, with all teams aiming to become the first to take out premiership glory in this new competition.
The Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs wrapped up the minor premiership with an undefeated season and have a week off, joined by the Corrimal Cougars who finished second.
This means the Stingrays of Shellharbour are to take on the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas in an Illawarra derby this weekend, while Como Jannali are set to take on the Jamberoo Superoos.
We’ve analysed each team and picked three game changers from each side who will be pivotal to inspiring their side towards grand final gold.
Shayla Moreton-Stewart (Milton Ulladulla)
Front row
Has proved immensely hard to stop this season with a whopping 16 tries from the front row.
Truly leading by example, she’s a constant danger and a heavy contributor to the success of the Bulldogs.
Alivia Brown (Milton Ulladulla)
Halfback
Has shown versatility in playing between fullback and the second row this year as well, but will lead the Bulldogs in the finals from the halfback role where she’s found her home.
A great leader in the middle of the park and super dangerous in and around the ruck.
Emily France (Milton Ulladulla)
Centre
Has been solid on the edges for the Bulldogs all year, aggressive in attack and defence.
France has popped up with nine tries this season, proving to be a real game changer when her team is in need of a spark.
Angie Tucker (Como Jannali)
Halfback
A young gun at just 19-years-old who has really taken to the game and steers the ship for the Crocs.
Really excels at organising her troops while also being a danger herself with her speed and mean stepping game.
Eugenia Dennison (Como Jannali)
Centre
Excelling from centre this season for the Crocs has been Dennison with six tries.
A powerful ball runner, a good footy head and a great defender.
Natasha Penitani (Como Jannali)
Second row
Sister of NRLW superstar Tiana Penitani, the Crocs star operated from the edge in the back row.
A real powerhouse who defends well and plays big minutes.
Tully Phillips (Warilla-Lake South)
Front row
A real workhorse for the Gorillas who carries the team forward with her powering runs.
Has muscled her way over the line for three tries this season from prop.
Tayleah Handcock (Warilla-Lake South)
Halfback
Leads the competition for points scored coming into the finals series.
Playing Tarsha Gale with the Steelers this season, she’s developed into a very skilful player, good on her feet and her terrific goalkicking is an added bonus.
Jamie-Lee Cotter (Warilla-Lake South)
Fullback
The true definition of a game-changer and one of the league’s most talented players, leading the try scoring tally with a whopping 19.
Captain for a reason as she has a terrific influence for the Gorillas from the back and inspires the other girls through her actions
Jordyn Preston (Stingrays)
Lock
Was unlucky not to be playing NRLW this year according to her coach, but to the profit of the Stingrays for whom she has been exceptional.
A versatile player with a great footy brain, she’s been playing out of lock forward to maximise her influence all over the park. Strong on the ball and a great leader at a young age.
Tiana Kore (Stingrays)
Front row
Leading through action from the front is Kore who provides some great carries for the Stingrays going forward.
Defensively strong as well, she plays big minutes and is exactly what you want out of your prop.
Emma Walters (Stingrays)
Fullback
Epitomising everything the fullback role is about is Walters from the back.
Strong in and around the ruck, a terrific ball carrier and returning of the footy from kicks, she belongs in the no. 1 jersey.
Georgia Thomas (Jamberoo)
Halfback
One of the many Superoos with a great commitment to the game playing in both the Open tackle side and the LLT1 side.
Thomas controls the game from the halves and is a dangerous runner of the footy, having crossed for eight tries this season.
Brittany Constable (Jamberoo)
Fullback
A really good leader of the Superoos from the back, controlling and organising where her girls need to be.
Like a good fullback she’s all over the park and is strong in attack and defence.
Carly Abbott (Jamberoo)
Second row
A forward who is quite literally punching above her weight with the kind of performances she puts in.
A terrific worker all over the park, tackling everyone in sight and contributing massively to her team week in week out.
Jade Etherton (Corrimal)
Halfback
A former NRLW player coming off the back of a terrific campaign with the Illawarra Steelers in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership campaign.
A Corrimal junior who is now an older head now in a squad with a lot of youth, she brings utility value as well as a lot of footy wisdom to a young side.
Tammy Fletcher (Corrimal)
Hooker
A veteran of Illawarra footy who brings invaluable experience to her Corrimal side.
She’s stated it could be her last year before hanging up the boots, so no doubt she’ll be fuelled to go out on a high.
Taimani Kolomake (Corrimal)
Second row
Another with a Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership experience under her belt with St George, Kolomake is the fearless leader of the Corrimal pack.
She has three tries to her name from the back row this year.
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