Coach Daniel Lacey says Dragons are ‘enigmas’ of NRL women’s premiership
DRAGONS coach Daniel Lacey says his unorthodox selection of players has made his side something of an enigma ahead of the new NRL women’s competition.
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DRAGONS coach Daniel Lacey says his unorthodox selection of players has made his side something of an enigma ahead of the new NRL women’s competition.
Lacey deliberately opted to put together a team with a different feel to the three others in the inaugural competition, blending local youth with international and interstate experience and trawling far and wide for his talent.
“We have chosen locals and interstater players, a girl who was playing rugby in Adelaide,” he said.
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“We have one playing for country Queensland, Queensland city, the Cook Island’s, Samoa … we have ticked every box.
“The girls in my team are grateful I haven’t done what was just right on paper. That I have looked outside the box.
“I think the other coaches will be looking at us as the unknowns, the dark horses.”
Lacey has been involved with the process of forming a Dragons team for the inaugural league from the start.
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After months of scouting, he finally has a full squad training three times a week and forming bonds off the pitch he believes will be invaluable on it.
“They are all going out after training, hanging out with each other, becoming friends,” he said.
“That’s what I wanted to see.’’
The Dragons squad ranges in age from 18-year-old local Keeley Davis to New Zealand cross code star Honey Hireme, 37.
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It also boasts five mothers with nine children between them, including Oneata Schwalger, cousin to Dragons player Tim Lafai whose two sons are being looked after by her mother in Melbourne while she plays.
One of the most unusual recruits in Eva Karpani, a former Rugby Sevens junior star who had to learn the rules of the game on the internet and was scouted playing in Adelaide.
“They all have heart. That’s what is important,’’ Lacey said.
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