Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership: How Koffi Brookfield has turned Steelers attack around

Illawarra boasts the most explosive attack in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, and they’re being spearheaded by a 17-year-old talent earmarked for big things in the future.

Koffi Brookfield has led the Illawarra Steelers to four-straight wins in the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership. Picture: Denis Ivaneza

The rise of Koffi Brookfield is so astonishing that it could be taught as a university subject, the only problem is she isn’t old enough to attend yet.

Illawarra has a special one on their hands in the form of Koffi Brookfield, the 17-year-old halfback who has spearheaded the most lethal attack in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.

After not playing in the opening round where the Steelers scored just one try, Brookfield was parachuted into the halfback role in round two and the turnaround has been remarkable.

The Steelers have won four games in a row, scoring 42 points per game in the process as their attack fires on all cylinders.

Brookfield said she has looked at playing up against grown women as a challenge, using a recent NRLW graduate as her inspiration.

“The girls are so welcoming and they’ve made my transition from my age (to open footy) so easy,” she said.

“It’s something I look at as a challenge. Kasey Reh is a year older and I put myself to her standards. I try to keep up with her and the older girls.”

Such is the promise the club has in the young gun who missed the Lisa Fiaola Cup season due to an MCL injury, she forced Caitlin Moran to shift to five-eighth to accommodate her.

Moran has done it all in the women’s game, winning an NRLW premiership and representing Australia, NSW and the Indigenous All Stars.

Brookfield said being able to partner Moran in the halves has served as a great boost for her development.

Caitlin Moran is forming a great partnership with Brookfield. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

“Caitlin has been awesome to be around. She’s passed on so much of her knowledge and in our first game together on the field we just clicked,” she said.

“It’s unbelievable to be able to play with her given all she’s done in the game.

“I’m a bit frantic on the field, but she tells me we haven’t earned the right to play footy yet. Keep it in the middle until we win that battle.”

Earlier this year Brookfield signed a NRLW development contract with the Dragons, and the Kiama Knights junior said the chance to train alongside her idols has been an incredible experience.

“Sowie (NRLW coach Jamie Soward) met me at training and told me I was going to be a development player,” she said.

“It was the best feeling. I’ve trained with them throughout the pre-season and still do a few days in-season.”

Brookfield and the Steelers can move to top spot on the HNWP standings this weekend when they take on the undefeated Wentworthville Magpies at Sid Parrish Park on Saturday.