5 key talking points as Western Clydesdales claim emphatic win over Falcons

The Western Clydesdales weathered the storm that swept over the Garden City on Sunday to run away with a statement win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Check out the five key talking points from the clash here.

Keeley Davis scored a try for the Western Clydesdales against the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Sunday. Here she is in action for the Clydesdales earlier in the season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Western Clydesdales claimed their second win of the BMD Premiership season on Sunday after a dominant performance against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a wet weather clash at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

After a drama-filled 70 minutes, we reveal the five biggest talking points from the contest.

Clydesdales’ stunning squad depth on show

Heading into this clash, the Western Clydesdales were without several key players due to the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships.

However, watching the game, you would have barely noticed there had been such emphatic changes to the squad as the Clydesdales were immense in all areas of the pitch.

The forwards were a class above and dominated the battle in the middle, while the backs were electric and constantly had the Falcons’ defence on their toes.

Local fan-favourite Shenae Ciesiolka made her Western Clydesdales debut on Sunday. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Local hero makes her debut

After missing the first two weeks through injury, former Oakey Bears junior and current NRLW star Shenae Ciesiolka finally made her debut for the Western Clydesdales and wasted no time making an impact.

After a couple of solid runs early in the game, the Clydesdales faithful had their first taste of what to expect from her this season as she set up the second try of the game with a deadly spiral kick.

Ciesiolka continued to be a menace from fullback and made several exciting runs throughout the contest.

Sin bins galore

There were three players sent to the bin for three different incidents in a clash where penalties came thick and fast.

The first sin bin came in the 15th minute after Sheridan Gallagher made a miraculous try-saving tackle for the Falcons just one metre out from the line off the back of a line break where the hosts seemed certain to score.

However, after her heroic play, she waited too long to release and was subsequently sent to the bin.

The second sin bin came late in the first half when Clydesdales winger Kayla Jackson made a late hit off the ball and the final sin bin was given to Sunshine Coast five-eighth Hayley Maddick after an accumulation of penalties.

Hancock causes mayhem off the bench

Possibly one of the greatest signs of the Clydesdales’ squad depth is the fact they were able to bring Australian rugby league legend Steph Hancock off the bench.

From the moment she entered the clash in the 27th minute, there was an aura around her and her presence alone changed the game.

The Falcons were far more hesitant running through the middle when Hancock was in the vicinity and in defence they would immediately bring more players in to tackle her.

Throughout the 23 minutes she spent on the ground, she made countless vital tackles and several barnstorming runs.

Hancock’s stellar performance was capped off by a try off the back of a sublime Ali Brigginshaw pass in the 47th minute of the game.

Clydesdales storm home

After dominating the opening 45 minutes of the contest, the Clydesdales only led by eight points and the visitors were well and truly still in the contest.

However, a 10-minute blitz saw the Clydesdales stretch out to a 28-4 lead with just over 10 minutes to play thanks to tries from Hancock, Keeley Davis and Brigginshaw to put the game on ice.

The stunning barrage off the back of endless pressure will certainly put the competition on notice as the Clydesdales moved to a 2-1 record after three games and are still yet to field their strongest side.