SQUAD ANALYSIS: Breaking down the Clydesdales U19s women’s roster

A strong local contingent has the Western Clydesdales women primed for a huge U19s campaign. Read up on the 23-player Clydesdales squad and what every player brings to the team.

(From left) Western Clydesdales players Bonnie Zappa, Anna Dingley and Ally Ramsay.

BRIGHT futures is the best way to describe the Western Clydesdales U19s Harvey Norman cohort.

Some outstanding talents come together to form an imposing side that while youthful, boasts plenty of experience in both big games and against grown women.

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It appears a matter of once the group clicks as a unit, the results will soon follow suit.

“Generally they’ve started nervous,” coach Russell Jones said.

“Once we’ve had an opportunity to talk to them at half time they respond and listen to instructions.

“Once we’ve settled on the playing 17, improvement will be seen by everybody.”

Clydesdales U19s coach Russell Jones gives us the lowdown on the 23-player squad ahead of the new season.

Amanda Hinch. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FULLBACKS

The Clydesdales have been blessed with talent at the back, with the role set to come down between Anna Dingley and Amanda Hinch.

Dingley boasts an impressive pedigree at the representative level of rugby union, with Hinch one of the most electrifying players during the TRL’s first women’s season.

Anna Dingley: “She’s quite skilful and fast. She has a really good step and swerve on her and is confident bringing the kicks back for us.”

Amanda Hinch: “Played A-grade for Warwick last year, has speed and experience in the big games on her side.”

Chloe Gray. Picture: Kevin Farmer

OUTSIDE BACKS

Getting quality ball to the outside backs will serve as a key for the Clydesdales attack throughout the season.

A talented roster of speedsters on the flanks has Jones excited for what’s to come.

“We’re blessed with speed,” Jones said.

“We’re trying to form some combinations and made a lot of changes in the pre-season. That hasn’t given our outside girls an opportunity to shine year.

“It’s something I believe will happen over the coming games.”

Maddison Riley: “She’s very good under the high ball. Is safe in all departments of the game.”

Elly Close: “New at the game. Has only played three games but is fast and a good communicator.”

Chloe Gray: “Was part of last year’s squad and is very safe on the wing.”

Caitlin Steel: “One of the older girls in the squad from out west. Can play in the centres or halves if needed.”

Sarah Moran: “Is only small but a pocket rocket in attack and defence.”

Tailah Page: “A solid defender. Playing out of position in the centres but is there for her defensive efforts.”

Aleesha Hartley: “Is a strong runner and knows how to score a try.”

Jayla Sefo-Wallace: “Experienced. Played in the grand final for Warwick. Is big and strong, and a solid defender.”

Sienna Norris. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HALVES

It appears the combination of Sienna Norris and Kylie Janes will have first crack at the halves for the Clydesdales.

Norris comes through the impressive Highfields junior program, with Janes holding her own in open grade last year.

“It was the first time we played them together on the weekend,” Jones said.

“Their second half was outstanding. I believe they’ll grow as a combo and continue to get better.”

Sienna Norris: “A solid defender, organiser and talker. She gets the team where they need to get to. More experienced than her age shows.”

Kylie Janes: “A very good defender and ballplayer that is blessed with speed. One of the girls from our side last year.”

Western Clydesdales players Imagele Tuesley (left) and Mackenzie Zeller. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BACK ROWERS

There’s plenty of youth present in the Clydesdales back-row brigade, with the potential for them to stick together in the coming years.

Jones is confident in what they bring to the table, with a vast range of representative experience present in the players fighting it out for the three positions.

“We have a really solid core of back rowers that on their day are capable of competing with anyone,” Jones said.

“They do a good job of getting us forward, and we hope to see them in the program for a couple of years.”

Ally Ramsey: “She’s only small but is a very good defender and prepared to bring the ball forward like a forward does.”

Charlotte Morcom: “Again another solid player in both attack and defence.”

Imagele Tuesley: “Plays in the back row and is a strong runner. Is still only 17 this year.”

Rayna Gore: “A very strong runner of the ball, good footwork late at the line and has ability to score tries.”

Mackenzie Zeller: “Solid all round and a very good footballer that represented Queensland Country last year.”

Gemma Gray. Picture: Kevin Farmer

MIDDLE FORWARDS

While not boasting the size that other teams in the Harvey Norman U19s will this year, the middle forwards punch well above their weight.

A skilful group with the aggression to take on whoever is in front of them has Jones excited for what they will bring to the team.

“They’re not big front rowers, but they won’t take a backwards step,” he said.

“They are strong, solid and lay the platform, Both hookers are learning the role and doing a commendable job.”

Jasmine Sefo-Wallace: “Big and strong. Always makes good yardage after the initial contact.”

Rachel Evans: “Back from last year. Is just a workaholic that will take the ball forward and defend.”

Katelyn Anderson: “Small, compact but very difficult to bring to ground. Aggressive nature in attack and defence. Made Queensland open schoolgirls last year.”

Katelyn Collie: “Will play 60 minutes if asked. Goes to the point of exhaustion and works tough as a front rower in attack and defence.”

Gemma Gray: “The baby of the side. A very good defender and is doing a great job in learning the hooker role.”

Bonnie Zappa: “A utility that can play hooker or half. Will listen to instructions and play whatever role is asked of her. Another good defender.”