Western Clydesdales go through Central Region Carnival with clean sweep of rivals
The Western Clydesdales U17s put their best foot forward with a dominant showing at the Central Region Carnival. Catch up on the high achievers, plus a full gallery from the event.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: If the talent in the Western Clydesdales U17s is anything to go by, the future of women’s league is in safe hands.
The girls were at their scintillating best for the Central Region Girls Carnival held at Gold Park, winning all three games and creating a big impression in the process.
It started with a 34-6 win over Wide Bay, and was followed with a 26-0 win over Central Queensland and a 22-6 defeat of the Sunshine Coast.
Sienna Norris was at her crafty best with four tries for the weekend, followed closely by Mackenzie Zeller with three.
“The coaching staff, players, and even the TRL members helping us were all extremely impressed with how the girls played over the weekend,” assistant coach Cameron Love said.
“What’s even more impressive is they don’t all play together each weekend. They’ve been training for about four weeks getting their combos going.
“That age group is important for development. They were one of the first groups that got good numbers at 13 and they’ve played football for the last few years.
“A third to half of the team was in the U19s squad at the start of the year. Coach Elle (Bowden-Betts) and myself were in awe. It didn’t matter how buggered they were, the defensive line always moved forward.”
Halfback Jessica Barnes was named player of the match, and Love paid tribute to her efforts and some of the unsung heroes within the group.
“The Morcom sisters (Charlotte and Eliza), both of them are just workhorses,” Love said.
“As a whole the most important thing we worked on at training was the culture.
“Sienna Norris played in a role she hasn’t for a while. We asked her to step into dummy half and she did a fantastic job. She’s a huge contributor to the culture of the club. We named her captain and maintained what us coaches asked of her.
“Jessica was outstanding and was really able to lead the team around.
“You can find girls uncomfortable in being a winger at this age, but Jess Fitzgibbons and Maddison Riley did fantastic jobs. They came in and helped the forwards out.
“Mariah Brown was another standout. She didn’t have one minute on the bench, she ran hard and defended extremely well out wide.”
CLYDESDALES SQUAD
1. ERIN CHANDLER
“A great little fullback who is very reliable, has great communication and chimes in as a playmaker when needed,” Bowden-Betts said.
2. MADDISON RILEY
“An outstanding winger who is fast, strong and can finish well. Is versatile and can also play fullback.”
3. DOROTHEA AMBER-TABUAI
“Is steppy, fast and a solid little defender. Is new to the region, but will hold her own in the centres.”
4. MARIAH BROWN
“A very talented player who recently made the Queensland U18s Schoolgirls. A strong communicator and deadly in attack.”
5. JESSICA FITZGIBBONS
“Jess gives a huge amount of effort, is fast and keen to get her hands on the ball.”
6. CHLOE PALLISIER
“A very crafty half who is quite agile. Has a great kicking game and is a good communicator.”
7. JESSICA BARNES
“A great up and coming halfback. Throws a beautiful long ball and is calm under pressure. Will make an excellent half.”
8. MACKENZIE ZELLER
“An absolute powerhouse in the forwards. Runs a great hole and will never give up.”
9. SIENNA NORRIS
“An amazing leader who does so by example. Will be dangerous for us darting out of dummy half.”
10. KATELYN COLLIE
“Runs some of the best lines for a girl her age. Has a big heart on the field and you know you’ll always get 100 per cent. An outstanding tackler.”
11. HALLE BELFORD
“Gives a maximum amount of effort. Is solid in defence and a very agile second rower.”
12. REAGAN MCMILLAN
“Reagan is very dangerous in attack and loves to annihilate people in defence.”
13. ALLY RAMSAY
“Easily the most consistent player on the field. Always steps up to do the hard yards and never backs down. A smaller lock but looks for work.”
14. BONNIE ZAPPA
“A halfback, hooker utility. An absolute livewire to have coming off the bench.”
15. MIA DAVIES
“A centre/second rower with great ball skills. Holds her own in defence and I can’t wait to see her have a game.”
16. ELIZA MORCOM
“One of the young ones in the squad who will try to outdo her sister. A second rower who holds her own and won’t be beaten in defence.”
17. ALEESHA HARTLEY
“Jumping into the second row off the bench. Has a high work ethic and eagerness to get her hands on the ball. A great asset.”
18. CHARLOTTE MORCOM
“Stepping up into the front row and will continue to keep the ball rolling. Loud communicator in defence and makes the effort in her hit ups.”
19. MAKAYLAH KENNEDY
“A big unit who has a great late step at the line. Keen to get on the outside of some of those front rowers.”
CLYDESDALES SCHEDULE
vs Wide Bay at 4.30pm, Friday
vs CQ Capras at 9.50am, Saturday
vs Sunshine Coast at 2.30pm, Saturday
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