Kody House hoping to cement second row spot with Broncos
NRLW is a chance for Kody House to reinvent herself and take her game to another level. Swoop’s weekly column for Big League magazine.
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KODY House is embracing the unknowns of the upcoming 2018 women’s NRL premiership.
The Broncos officially kicked off training as a full squad on Monday, with House one of the 22 players set to don the maroon and gold next month.
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But for the Queensland and Australian utility, the NRLW does not just present a chance for House to be part of history, but to also shed her tag as a super sub.
House started playing rugby league in 2014 and was introduced to the game as a winger and centre.
She made her 2015 Queensland debut in the centres but since then has been working on her strength and a move towards the forwards.
This year in the QRL’s southeast women’s competition, she played in the second row for her club, Brothers Ipswich, and now knows that is where she belongs.
She will face tough competition from Kiwi Ferns powerhouse Teuila Fotu-Moala and her Ipswich teammate Maitua Feterika, but as Brisbane ramp up their preparations to take this year’s premiership, House is determined to prove to coach Paul Dyer that not only is she worthy of a starting spot, but she is a backrower.
“The biggest goal for me is getting a starting position,” she said of the upcoming season.
“I’m really looking at the second row. I feel like I’ve been playing that really well at club this year.
“I started on the wing and in the centres. But as I’ve gotten older and a bit bigger as well, I’ve been trying to find a position that suits me. I’ve been on the interchange bench a lot and you’re just needed wherever.
“It helps you mentally knowing your position and knowing what your role is. That’s a big goal for me this year is to find that set position for me.
“I love the second row and I don’t think I’m as fit or as fast for the backs anymore. That second row position is just so much more powerful and agile for me.”
House said uncertainty over positions is just one of the many unknowns that she is thriving off.
The women’s premiership will be played as double header matches alongside the men’s NRL finals.
But this also means their draw won’t be determined until the NRL season finishes on Sunday September 2 – one week out from the start of the NRLW.
The players don’t know yet where they will be playing or who they will face first or whether they will even get a home game.
House said however it all just adds to the excitement.
“The unknown is the really exciting part with it,” she said.
“We don’t really know what’s happening, we won’t know about games until the week before … not knowing where your position is on the team or who’s going to be in (the 17), all that makes it really exciting.
“It gives you a chance to push yourself with the training and make a stance. It’s such a new team so there are no set people for different positions.
“You can really get out there and be committed, be dedicated and push yourself at those training sessions so you do get that starting spot.”
Originally published as Kody House hoping to cement second row spot with Broncos