Budding teen talent crowned Gold Coast’s top women’s rugby player one week on from open-heart surgery

Ruby Powers may only be 16, but the teen sensation has now been voted Gold Coast’s greatest women’s rugby star of 2024- just seven days on from open-heart surgery. Full story:

Women’s rugby union is budding on the Gold Coast, with young talent knocking at the door of the elite level with seasoned players by their side.

There’s no doubt about it. Talent is coming through the ranks.

This masthead asked you to vote for the Gold Coast’s greatest women’s rugby star, and the verdict is in.

Ruby Power,16, has claimed the title after accumulating 40 per cent of votes.

Not only did the teen sensation have no idea a vote was underway, the polling was finalised seven days post-open-heart surgery to repair a severe mitral valve leak.

Power had just returned home from hospital when she was told of the result.

“With everything going on this past week, it's just nice to have some good news,” she said.

“Even though rugby isn’t in the picture for a while, just to bring (memories) back.”

Ruby Power is on her way back to rugby where she is a damaging backrower.

Power described how it felt to know she had a support system beyond the immediate friends and family.

“If people have voted for me, they obviously think I’m capable.

“It gives me the motivation to come back and show that I am.”

It’s been a less-than-ideal month for the teen, who was only made aware of her heart’s condition in late August.

The surgery was scheduled in the weeks following, and now a long road of recovery awaits.

“I’ve kind of been solo,” Power said of the week post-operation, during which she was also found to have an allergic reaction to the hospital’s anti-nausea medication.

“The first few days were rough so I’m just starting to reach out to friends.

“I’ve just been sleeping and taking it day by day.”

Ruby Power playing for three-peat StoreLocal Premier Women premiers Bond University.

The next six weeks will be filled with nothing but bed rest, followed by cardiac rehab.

“Three months is when my sternum is meant to be healed,” Power said, at which point she hopes to receive clearance to begin light contact training.

Note: Runner-up was lightning outside back Eva Doblo (30 per cent votes)

Meet every candidate:

Helensvale Hogs

Zahara Timu

Position: Wing/ centre

Comment: A young player (17) who is new to the XVs format, having only played 7s in previous years. Despite her youth, Timu’s way of carrying herself in the back line displayed the quality of player she is. Her defensive work was on full display with her hard tackles and scrambling tackles covering line breaks. There is still a lot to learn, but Timu is no doubt an amazing player with so much potential to be even greater.

Zahara Timu

Jorja Cooper 

Position: Open-side Flanker

Comment: Cooper is a working machine on the field. She is 17 years old and has been one of the Hog’s most consistent players with stats to back it throughout the season. This girl has no fear who – regardless of size and height – will not back down; an absolute warrior on the defensive line. Cooper has so much more to give with so much more potential to take it further.

Jorja Cooper

Tamika Smith

Position: Flyhalf

Comment: Smith has been one of Helensvale’s strongest players this season, having previously played for Bond University the last two years as reigning Premier Women’s champions. Learning to play first five in the back line this year, she is a weapon not to be messed with. Smith boasts strong carries in attack and handy aggression in defence, consistently turning ball over from pressure.

Rayven-Jodeci Boyce

Position: Outside centre

Comment: Boyce has been a complimentary player to have in Helensvale’s women’s side this year. She moved up from Sydney and has been a highly entertaining player to watch, with an ability to read the game and know which lines to run with the change of direction in her attack causing her to break the defence line. Boyce is an outstanding player, consistent within her games and brings so much aggression onto the field.

Emily Bear

Position: Half Back & Fullback

Comment: At just 17, the small and petite Bear is extremely hearty. She has been a wonderful edition to the Hogs this season, with an eagerness to learn in her first season of XVs aside rugby. The teen showed amazing skills and a great attitude all year, not scared to go up against anyone who’s bigger than her. Bear has great potential – as she continues to learn and read the game she will be a weapon not to be messed with.

Emily Bear

Bond Pirates

Eva Doblo

Position: Winger

Comment: Nicknamed Fast Eva, Doblo was Bond’s leading try-scorer. She runs rings around defence with agility, speed and style, learning fast despite being relatively new to the Union game – previously excelling in Oztag. Doblo is now setting her sights on 7s and Premier XV, having already climbed the representative path to Queensland Country team honours. No doubt she is a superstar in the making.

Eva Doblo

Eva Butler

Position: Loose Forward

Comment: This powerhouse forward charges through the meanest of defence with grit and determination. Butler is known for both her attacking and defensive skills and has been an integral member of the Pirates side this season. She offers great rugby IQ which is apparent in the game and has consistently backed up for the premier side this year.

Eva Butler

Lotti Coppola

Position: Half back

Comment: Coppola has had a fabulous year in both the Southeast Queensland competition and representative rugby. She only turned 18 this year but shows massive potential, with a work ethic some can only dream of. Coppola secured the role of vice-captain thanks to her level head and rugby knowledge. Pirates ought to be excited to see where this young lady can take her rugby in 2025.

Lotti Coppola

Ruby Power

Position: Loose Forward/Breakaway

Comment: Having moved up the ranks from juniors at Bond, Power has all the gifts to one day play for her country. She is just 16 years old but has a wrap of representative experience under her belt – includes led an open women’s side as Captain showing her ability to lead and her confidence and knowledge is growing rapidly. A huge future ahead for young Ruby.

Ruby Power

Carmen Fullerton

Position: Centre and goal kicker

Comment: Powerful and persistent, Fullerton displays great maturity on the field and boasts one of the competition’s best conversion rates of 2024. She never gives up, has great ball running skills and is a natural leader. Her love of the game will be sure to take her wherever she wants to go.

Carmen Fullerton (4th from front row left)

Hinterland Celtics

Teuila Taito

Position: Number 1 Prop

Comment: Taito is a strong running front rower who was hard to stop close to the line. She proved herself a bone-crunching defensive player on the field this season, which earned her selection into the Queensland Country Women’s Orchids Squad.

Camryn Midgley

Position: Centre

Comment: A young player with a big future in women’s rugby, 17-year-old Midgley has certainly cemented her role in the Celtics women's team as a fierce defender and a fast running centre or fullback.