NRLW 2023: Roosters star Isabelle Kelly opens up on expanded competition, longer season
One of the most respected players in the NRLW, Isabelle Kelly has opened up on the women’s game, as the historic 10-team competition continues to find its feet.
Two weeks in and the Sydney Roosters, like the NRLW competition itself, are still finding their feet.
Led by skipper Isabelle Kelly, the Roosters are title favourites, but now have a win and a loss across the first two rounds with seven more games to play before the finals.
Ahead of Thursday night’s men’s and women’s double-header at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly has cast her eye over the game, how it’s changed and what’s yet to come from the NRLW.
A LONGER SEASON
The historic 10-team competition means so much is unknown about the women’s game in 2023.
There’s new faces and combinations to consider, as well as how teams will cope with double the amount of games (nine rounds before finals).
“It’s a lot different to what we’re used to. It’s a lot more teams, a lot more footy, but we love seeing that,” Kelly says.
“A lot of people have come up to me saying how great it is and how much they love to watch the women’s footy.
“To be pushing it further every single week, more people are watching and becoming fans.
“I’ve loved it. I love seeing new talent come in and shining, whether it’s my team or not.
“It’s great these girls can finally put their name on our game.”
Players have been asking for an increase in games since the competition started in 2018.
It allows them to build into a season and not have their finals hopes dashed by one bad day or crucial injury.
That’s a blessing for the Roosters, who were on the end of a shock loss to competition newcomers Canberra last weekend.
“We’ve got a lot more games now up our sleeve where we can really work together to build a team to be as strong as we can be at the back end of the season,” Kelly says.
“Not having the pressure of playing a few games where you have to win them all if you want to get into the semis.”
FAVOURITES TAG
They’re always going to be one of the glamour clubs in the NRL.
Premierships are expected, because the standards are so high.
This year the Roosters landed some of the biggest names in the women’s game including Millie Boyle and Tarryn Aiken, as well as retaining Kelly, Jess Sergis and Corban Baxter.
Last week’s loss to the Raiders was a realty check to many.
“There was a lot of outside noise about us being the favourites with the amount of girls that we recruited and who we recruited,” Kelly says.
“But how we played on the weekend kind of shows that anyone can take out this competition and it’s good to see for women’s rugby league, to be honest.”
Led by highly respected coach John Strange, the Roosters are warned not to believe their own hype. They know the dangers of getting carried away with outside praise and expectations.
“Something I’ve always loved about Strangey is that he’s very truthful and very honest in these situations,” Kelly says.
So far every new team in the NRLW this season have had a win. The Raiders, Cowboys and Sharks are all on the board, while the Wests Tigers are out in front undefeated.
THE MENTAL GAME
Kelly is one of the most professional players in the women’s game and she takes the mental side of the game very seriously.
“I’ve been around for a while now so I’ve learnt the little things to help me,” she says.
“It’s just talking to the right people, listen to my coaches and their opinions, and what they say I hold in the highest regard.
“I talk to outside people who I trust and have a lot of knowledge, and try to stay present within the moment.
“At the end of the day it’s just sport and we play it because we love it.”
She’s played at the top level of women’s rugby league for almost a decade now and as Roosters captain it’s her job to pass on that experience.
“That’s part of the captaincy, you take on that extra responsibility of getting the team morale just right and making sure everyone is good and getting around them,” she continues.
“I love that sense of pressure to make sure I can be the best captain I can be. When we win or lose I take it a bit harder but I think it makes me a better teammate and player and a better captain.”
PLAYING AT HOME
Few clubs do history as well as the Roosters.
The NRLW side trains on the Agricultural Ground at Moore Park, site of the first ever women’s rugby league match in Australia in 1921.
“We’re surrounded by history here, and Strangey is always making sure we remember these things and recognise how far the game has come as well,” Kelly says.
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The Roosters’ NRLW side beat Newcastle last year in their first match at the hallowed ground, but Thursday night is their first home game of the season.
“To have a double header with the boys at the SCG is something we’ve wanted for the last few weeks, we haven’t had any home games,” she continues.
“To run out there and have the Roosters fans behind us will be extra special for the girls who haven’t played at home before.”
Originally published as NRLW 2023: Roosters star Isabelle Kelly opens up on expanded competition, longer season
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