Queensland stalwart Steph Hancock says she still has the passion to represent the Maroons
WOMEN’S rugby league stalwart Steph Hancock was supposed to hang up her representative jerseys after last year’s loss to NSW — but her semi-retirement doesn’t include the Maroons.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WOMEN’S rugby league stalwart Steph Hancock epitomises everything Queensland coach Jason Hetherington is looking for in this year’s State of Origin clash.
The former Maroons great said last month that for his first time as the women’s coach, he just wants to make sure the Queensland spirit and never-say-die attitude is alive and well.
Hancock was supposed to hang up her own Queensland jersey after last year’s 22-6 loss to NSW, but she revealed to The Courier-Mail in December that her representative retirement extended only to the international level.
The NSW side has dominated the interstate clash for the past two years and Hancock can also not forgive the fact that Queensland drew with them in 2015.
She said the last three games still give her nightmares and if Hetherington is looking for passion in the jersey, then she has plenty to bring to the game.
“It does haunt me at night time. I’m not joking,” Hancock said of Queensland’s recent run.
“If I’m good enough and they pick me, I’ll be there.
“You can’t teach (that spirit). It’s bred in you as Queenslander. People think you’re talking crap, but I’m serious.
“You live and breathe it. As soon as you go into camp, there is no better feeling. Not even playing for Australia. There is no better feeling than being a Queenslander.
“For the first time ever, we can call it Origin. It gives me goosebumps just talking about it.”
Hetherington said last month that he was considering Hancock for selection and he would see how she fared at the National Championships, before naming his first Queensland team this week ahead of the State of Origin clash on June 22.
The National Championships tournament was held over the weekend, with Hancock’s QLD Country side taking out third place.
While her team did not make the final — with NSW Country crowned the champions — Hancock’s effort could not be questioned.
She ran hard, defended well, took on some kicking duties and was always the first to chase those kicks down.
Hetherington was there watching on, as was new Broncos women’s team coach Paul Dyer.
Hancock, who plays for Souths Logan in the local competition, said she had a chat with the Brisbane club ahead of the inaugural NRL premiership and would definitely play for them if they were interested in her.
“I’m there, 100 per cent,” she said.
“All I’d be interested in is just the Broncs. Being in Brisbane, I’m a full-time worker, full-time mum, I have full-time football commitments.
“But they wouldn’t have to pay me a cent. I’d be there in a heartbeat. To be a part of the Brisbane Broncos, it would be something I honestly never thought would happen in my time of playing footy.”
Originally published as Queensland stalwart Steph Hancock says she still has the passion to represent the Maroons