Parramatta fullback Abbi Church sings the praises of coach Steve Georgallis

Abbi Church hits a special milestone with Parramatta this weekend as the club fights for an unlikely top four NRLW finish.

The influence of Parramatta coach Steve Georgallis has taken fullback Abbi Church to a new level this season as the Eels fight to play NRLW finals over the next fortnight.

With two games to play the fifth-placed Eels are within a chance of going from wooden spooners in 2023 to top four within a year.

Church, 26, was charting within the top three for Dally M votes before it went behind closed doors, and is in the best form of her four-season NRLW career.

“I’m playing with a bit more confidence. Georgie helps that, I don’t think he’s changed my game massively but he’s given me the little things to make a huge difference,” she says ahead of her 25th NRLW game on Saturday, becoming the first Eels player to reach the milestone.

Abbi Church of the Eels is tackled during the round six NRLW match between Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s very big on goals and simplifying things. He says football is a simple game and you just need to do the little things right and that’s been huge for me. Everyone has really bought into it this year and when everyone is doing their job it makes everything easier.

“We work for each other.

“I’ve just been slowly learning and growing and developing and trying to learn as much as I can.”

During the first two seasons of her NRLW career Church was juggling full-time paramedic work with football commitments.

Abbi Church at Eric Tweedle Stadium in Merrylands ahead of the clash with Canberra. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It took its toll physically, having to back-up to train after a nightshift in Sydney’s south west, and her rest and recovery was affected.

Dropping down her workload during the season has made a huge difference to her game, where she now averages 140 running metres at No.1 as well as 38 tacklebreaks for the year, second only to Elsie Albert at the Eels.

“The first couple of seasons were a lot harder, because I didn’t know what to expect or how to juggle anything and time management became very important. But last year and this year I made the decision to step back a bit from work during the season and I’m lucky they’re really supportive of that.

Abbi Church's try-saver is your Youi Tackle of the Week 💪 pic.twitter.com/TWdy8y3EdU

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 19, 2024

“Once I made the decision I noticed it was much better for me and my performance as well. It’s probably helped contribute to my performances as well.”

Hopefully the juggle won’t be for long.

Like most, she’s waiting to become a full-time athlete once the NRLW makes the long awaited move to professionalism.

Last week Zahara Temara and Ali Brigginshaw ticked over their 40th NRLW game, while Keeley Davis, Steph Hancock, Isabelle Kelly, Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Raecene McGregor are due to hit the milestone this weekend.

“I see myself playing as long as I possibly can,” she says.

“I’m hopeful the game will get there even sooner. In the last few years there’s been some big moves and some steps forward in the right space, all the junior pathways being created at the moment to support that is awesome. I hope to be a part of it, but if not, I think it’s really cool to say I was there during a challenging period when it was starting to be built.

“We just want to play more games and play more footy and that’s the key in moving forward to making it a full-time profession for female athletes.”