Penrith District Rugby League: 30+ stars at St Marys on grand final day
The Penrith women’s grand final is set to take centre stage on a massive day of rugby league this Sunday at St Marys Leagues Stadium. We profile every open age player. FULL LIST
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All roads lead to St Marys Leagues Stadium on Sunday as the top women in the Penrith District battle for the Don Feltis Cup.
Following a comfortable semi final victory, Open Age minor premiers St Marys will tackle St Clair in a grand final that promises to go down to the wire.
St Clair won through to the decider after edging out Cambridge Park in an extra time thriller. The Comets will fancy their chances this week too after defeating St Marys by six points when the sides last met.
Ahead of the top of the table clash, St Marys team manager Lucy Ae said it’s a massive opportunity to showcase the competition’s vast array of talent.
“There’s some nerves, but the girls have trained hard and are very excited,” Ae said.
“The open women’s category includes a mix of players. There’s 18-year-old girls and mums who all come together. Some want to crack NRLW, while some just want to focus on holding their spot.”
“We beat St Clair earlier in the season, then they beat us, so it’s anyone's game.”
In the countdown to the big day, we preview the players from both squads.
ST MARYS SAINTS
AMBER JOHNSTONE
Fullback
Tall, skinny and deceptively strong, Amber rarely misses her assignments in defence. A strong communicator, the former pathways rep can be heard calling the shots from down back.
CASS POPE
Winger
The former netballer has come a long way in just her second season of league. Super quick off the mark, the winger is one of St Marys’ loudest, and always offers encouragement.
TELUSILA LOUSI
Centre
Described as a “massive unit”, the bustling centre is a genuine line breaker and more often than not is equally destructive without the ball. Had a blinder against Doonside last week, and is one St Clair will need to keep an eye on.
ELIZA STUART
Centre
Eliza hasn’t played much this year, but the former Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership rep is a welcome addition to the squad. Always looking for work, she makes a point of helping out the forwards in heavy traffic.
FASHA KALEPO
Winger
Fearless for a winger, what Fasha lacks in bulk she makes up for with passion and desire. An outstanding tackler, she’s not afraid to chop down opposition heavyweights.
AMIRIA TE IRINGA
Halfback/centre
A fresh face from New Zealand, Amiria is capable of quality in almost every position on the park. Damaging with ball in hand, she can organise the troops or punch out handy metres.
KIANA LOAU
Prop
Big games are won upfront and this powerhouse prop wouldn’t have it any other way. Always rips in, and is known for setting the platform for the St Marys’ speedsters out wide.
NATALIE VAKA
Hooker
The Saints’ value as a club goes way beyond the playing field. At the start of the season Natalie Vaka arrived as a shy 18-year-old, but has since blossomed after taking on the captaincy role.
Delivers fine service from the ruck and can hit targets from long range.
MAURICE NAFOI
Prop
The sister of Panthers premiership winning prop Moses Leota, Maurice is a wrecking ball from the same mold. Light on her feet, the former HNWP prop is now focused on winning the Don Feltis Cup.
TEMUKISA LIKI
Second row
After ditching rugby union two years ago, Temukisa has made a seamless transition to league. Noted for busting tackles, she combines silky ball play with elite Footy IQ.
SHEMARIAH TAGALOAMATUA
Second row
The message is clear – look out St Clair. Shemariah has peaked at the right end of the season and brings red hot form to the decider. Last Sunday the former Penrith Tarsha Gale (under-19s) rep torched Doonside, running in three tries from the right edge.
JEMIMAH TAGALOAMATUA
Lock
Just like her try-scoring sister, Jemimah loves breaking the line. Both put their bodies on the line, and come with a reputation for running tough lines in attack.
FAITH NIMMO
Forward utility
Nearing the end of her first season in rugby league, Faith is a quick learner who has come along way. A supersub in the pack, she thrives in contact and provides instant impact off the bench.
TEE LEVAE
Second row
With Tee on the books, St Marys are in good hands if tempers flare on Sunday. A boxer by trade, the second rower packs elite fitness and comms to get the job done.
CHELSEA PEYROUX
Halfback
A former coach with plenty of smarts and experience from her time in the HNWP, Chelsea is a cagey playmaker with a cool head if the chips are down.
SYRIA TAUTALAGA
Halfback/five-eighth
Another on the St Marys list capable of steering the ship from half or five-eighth, Syria enjoys the big occasion and taking new players under her wing.
NORLYNN TU’IFUA
Halfback/five-eighth
Unfortunately for St Marys, an ankle injury has sidelined one of their stars. But with a team high 12 tries this season, Norlynn has played a key role in the team’s success.
COACH: RONNIE KADIR
ST CLAIR COMETS
HANA KAPUA
Fullback
One of a host of rising stars from the Penrith pathways, Hana is a quick stepping outside back who represented the Panthers in the Tarsha Gale Cup earlier this season.
DELOURES VAUGHAN
Winger
A beast on the right edge, Deloures breaks tackles with ease and is almost unstoppable cashing in on quick play the balls. Chases hard in defence and can force a turnover.
BEATRES LUKA
Centre
Another Panther on the rise, the long striding centre is an imposing presence on the left edge and is a danger with early ball.
EMALIA KAAFI
Centre
A pivotal figure on the Comets’ right side, Emalia can bump away defenders and knows how to find the line. Scored a double against Cambridge Park in the semi-final, and will demand plenty of ball on the big stage.
MIA VANOOSTWAARD
Winger
Gets involved in attack and defence, and can change a contest from the kicking tee. Under immense pressure last week, her three goals from five attempts saved St Clair’s season.
ELARNAY PELE TAULA
Five eighth
A smart and deceptive playmaker, Elarnay forms a potent attacking combination with Kaafi on the right edge. A former Wests Tigers pathways rep, she has all the tricks and is sure to feature on the St Marys cheat sheet.
TAYA LAZARE
Halfback
A quality organiser with a long and short kicking game, the former Penrith rep has also been know to strike from dummy-half.
SERAH POLOAALII
Prop
In what shapes as an epic battle upfront, Serah’s battle with the St Marys pack could shape the outcome. Always busy, she is quick off the mark and crunches big metres through the middle.
CYDNEY CHERRINGTON
Hooker
Often the focus of St Clair’s attack. Cydney is a shrewd No.9 who can count numbers and capitalise on an advantage. No stranger to crossing the stripe, last week she helped send Cambo packing with a well deserved double.
SUMMER JITOKO
Prop
Big and energetic, Jitoko is a prop on the up. Her one-two punch in tandem with Poloaalii promises to shake the foundations. Has a massive engine, and can put on a thumping hit.
LUISA FAIMALIE
Second row
Lethal with a head of steam, Luisa loves a tough carry and taking on the line. Dangerous in traffic, she’s adept at creating second phase with a sneaky right-arm offload.
EMMA PARKER
Second row/prop
In a strong pack, the reliable skipper leads from the front. Was missing last week, and her timely return is sure to inspire a monumental grand final charge.
MADI GAAL
Lock
A weapon in the middle, Madi is a tower of strength. She revels in the tough stuff and goes all day in both attack and defence.
MESHA FRETTON
Forward utility
Happy in the middle or at hooker, Mesha can influence the outcome of a contest from anywhere. A golden point hero last week, she took the final pass of the day and sealed the deal in the left corner.
JALICE BROWN
Utility back
Since relocating from Newcastle the elusive speedster hasn’t looked out of place in the No.1 jumper. Agile and determined, Jalice has the skills to cover any position out wide.
ZHARIA HUKUI
Prop
Zharia is another of St Clair’s Tarsha Gale brigade, and the menacing front-rower is expected to cause plenty of headaches with her inspirational carries and big metres.
LEESH STEWART
Second row
In a squad full of youngsters, Leesh is a calming influence. The experienced backrower has been playing on the right edge, and is at her best crashing into the defence at top speed.
TIRIA ANDERSON
Prop
Arguably one of the most gifted players in the grand final. An imposing presence, Tiria loves an old fashioned crash play as much as sending a teammate through a gap. Hard to drag down, she can also provide last play options with the boot.
COACH: RICHIE HOUIA
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