Sistaz captain Bianca Scrymgour points to a successful era for the reigning NRL NT women’s premier

The Sistaz are already planning their NRL NT women’s premiership defence with their season opener against Litchfield scheduled for next week

Womens NRL NT captains. From left: Souths's Donica Sarikon, Palmerston’s Theresa Paterson, Nightcliff's Bethny Edmonson, Brothers' Bianca Scrymgour, Sharks’ Melissa Mick and Litchfield’s Shari Togo. Picture: Glenn Campbell

REIGNING NRL NT women’s premier Sistaz have no intention of falling off the top rung of Northern Territory rugby league’s premier competition.

That was the message from premiership captain Bianca Scrymgour at this week’s launch of the 2021 season that officially kicks off on April 17.

Fresh from a 38-16 grand final win over Palmerston in last year’s decider, Scrymgour said the next wave of Sistaz players was emerging to ensure a long reign of blue and white jumpers.

She was also quick to remind league fans the scoreboard after the grand final did not show the true physicality of the clash.

But for Scrymgour, the future is the present, with the majority of last year’s undefeated side returning and several girls from the under-17 grade ready to step up to the senior side.

“There’s a lot of talent and potential there, so it will be exciting to see how they go,’’ she said.

“And fingers crossed, Jaylene Bonson will play for us in the halves. She was the competition’s best and fairest two or three years ago and will give us a lot of class.’’

Palmerston’s Theresa Paterson said her club had started pre-season a “bit earlier” in order to get themselves harder and stronger for the new season.

“Our new coach Harley Eaglestone has a background in coaching female rugby league sides and he’s already got a whole new structure and skills set he’s been applying to the team,’’ Paterson said.

“We’ve built a good foundation for the players and the upcoming juniors from last season and right from the Round 1 challenge when we meet South Darwin, we’ll be up for it.’’

Nightcliff’s Chris Brown wants to reverse last season’s straight sets exit from the finals by implementing a series of on and off field changes.

“We’ve got a new coach, new coaching staff and new game plan, so we’re looking for a fresh start where we’ll see how we go in the first six weeks and judge it from there,’’ Brown said.

His captain Bethny Edmondston echoed her coach’s words, saying a “whole new bunch of girls’’ were looking forward to the season opener.

“We’ve got the Sharks first up and it’s an ideal time to showcase our skills by getting the girls around each other and working together,’’ Edmondston said.