Articles

[getsmarty]

St George Illawarra’s Talesha Quinn on why she loves the physicality of rugby league and the importance of being a good role model for younger sportswomen. By Paul Connolly.

Growing up I watched a lot of league, especially with Mum. I was a [Canterbury] Bulldogs supporter when I was younger. I suppose I still am. People assume because I’m a player with the [St George Illawarra] Dragons now that I’d be a Dragons fan, but I actually go for the Bulldogs.

There was no rugby league for girls in Parkes [NSW], where I grew up, so I played everything else under the sun. Touch footy was my main sport. My parents would have been sick of me playing it and driving me to games. But without touch I wouldn’t be where I am today; there are so many skills that translate to tackle footy.

I wanted to be a vet when I was younger but I don’t think I had the brains. I moved to Wollongong when I was 21 to study population health at Wollongong Uni. I lasted six months before dropping out. I tried wildlife science at Queensland Uni, too, but – and I’m going to sound like a dropout here – that wasn’t for me either.

It was after that that my parents suggested I join the Australian Defence Force. I thought that would be a pretty sick job. Being from the country, the idea of going camping, being able to put on camouflage uniform every day, appealed to me. I could be my natural tomboy self. I enlisted and was posted to Townsville. I love it. It’s like being part of a big family.

It was during my time in Wollongong I got into league. I lived in Berkeley, across the road from an oval. One day I saw a women’s league team, the Berkeley Eagles, training. I walked over and asked if I could play. I’d played league once before when I was 16 but this was different and I loved it immediately. I ended up joining the team.

I love the physicality of league. That’s why I play. Tackling is the best part of the game. I love putting shots on; I love girls putting shots on me. I’ll get up from being hit hard and say, “Good shot”, with a big smile on my face. Some people get aggressive when they get hit and taken down but I appreciate that women can tackle well.

I made a few representative teams out of playing for the Eagles but when I got shipped to Townsville with the ADF I found out there was no women’s league comp up there. I took up rugby union for the contact – I was still hitting people; that was good – but I hated every game because it seemed like I got injured every game. I dislocated a hip, broke my ankle, broke my wrist, broke my thumb, broke my nose.

Last year the Cronulla Sharks [in the Sydney Metropolitan Women’s Rugby League competition] offered me a contract but I thought I couldn’t take it up. But the Defence Force was amazing and transferred me to Sydney so I could play. That was the start of an incredible period. Since then I’ve played for NSW in the first women’s State of Origin game and I represented Australia in the World Cup held in Sydney. Now I’ve been given two months’ paid leave to play with the Dragons in the first women’s NRL competition. I feel so lucky.

I never thought I’d play NRL. I remember seeing the amount of coverage the AFL girls got last year and thinking, in the back of my mind, how great it would be for the NRL to have a women’s comp. That it’s now happening is surreal.

It’s just a four-team comp at this point – and I really feel for Cronulla and South Sydney who missed out – but I think it’s better to start small than go too big too soon and fail. I think it’ll make the girls on the fringes work even harder, which will make the sides even stronger in the future.

At the moment [in terms of salaries] you couldn’t quit your job to play footy. But it’s a start because we’ve played so long without money, and had to sacrifice so much to do it. Some girls lost their jobs because they were playing in the World Cup. Girls before us have had to pay their own accommodation, their own flights, their own uniform costs. They’ve had to pay money to play for their country. To even know girls are getting some money now is great.

I hope that in five to 10 years it becomes a professional competition. There is so much talent coming through now and it would be really exciting to see if we become full-time how far we’ll be able to go in the sport. It’s crazy for me knowing I am a role model for girls out there, and it’s hard to understand how much influence we now have on the younger girls coming through. So I think it’s important for us live up to that.

Credit: SUPPLIED
Dragons’ slayer: Talesha Quinn, 29, rugby league player


https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au...a-quinn-29-rugby-league-player/15375384006880

 

[getsmarty]

Hireme nails fullback spot against Ferns mates
Author
Chris Kennedy
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 07:01 AM

NRLW Dragons centre Honey Hireme was a late switch into fullback for the injured Sam Bremner last week and the reluctant fullback was one of the best players on the park in what was her first outing against a host of Kiwi Ferns teammates.

Hireme busted four tackles and her 170 metres, including a runaway try, was easily a match high (Warriors centre Sarina Clark was second with 128) in the crucial 22-10 win.

It's not a bad result given she only found out 24 hours before the game that Jillaroos fullback Bremner had failed to overcome a niggling toe injury.

"I have played a little bit at fullback – 10 years ago!" Hireme laughed when asked by NRL.com about her preparation.

"I just found out [Friday] afternoon just before training. I was pretty gutted to hear about Sammy's injury. It's one of those times you just have to step up. It's probably not my preferred position but it's what's best for the team so fullback it was.

"I was probably more worried about the lungs, being back there, than anything. I'd run there at training a couple of times. It was just making sure I knew my role back there. I think I was still a bit rusty."

Dragons centre Honey Hireme. Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
The 37-year-old was the top try-scorer at the 2017 World up with 13 four-pointers in what was her third World Cup but despite her wealth of experience, ranks last weekend's NRLW clash against her Ferns teammates as among the most nervous she has been before a match.

"Usually I don't get so nervous but knowing I was up against my mates, and some of them are my really good mates, I definitely did have nerves out there," she said.

"I suppose the thing with playing against your mates is they know what you can do and vice versa so you can kind of use it to your advantage but they had an advantage as well. They're a smart outfit, they grind and grind."

Despite the confidence-boosting performance at the back, Hireme was hopeful of having skipper Bremner – who was since named in the team on Tuesday – back for the critical third-round meeting with the Roosters.

Dragons coach Daniel Lacey praised the way Hireme and the team coped with the loss of Bremner to bounce back strongly from an opening week 30-4 loss to Brisbane.

"It's not ideal to lose Sammy but we went straight into look at the plan," he said.

"Sam was upset she couldn't play [but] around the girls she's been really positive. We knew we needed to think about what comes next, not what could have been and roll with the punches.

"The good thing is we've been training in all different positions. I wanted these girls to learn how to play rugby league. Some of them haven't played at this level before.

"At training we've been doing all different types of things to work on what your role is in the team. Because I've had to change a few people, I'm changing things on the run and they're adapting to it.

"We gave Sammy til quite late (on the Friday before the game) but the doc said it's probably best to be kept in the boot so we made that call early."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/22/hireme-nails-fullback-spot-against-ferns-mates/

 

[getsmarty]

Meet the driving force behind the Dragons
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 21 Sep 2018, 06:15 PM

St George Illawarra playmaker Mel Howard has calculated that she and team-mate Hannah Southwell drive 18 hours per week to and from their homes in Newcastle to training.

Backrower Holli Wheeler spends a similar amount of time travelling from Taree to Wollongong, as she stays with family one night per week.

All say it has been worth it for the opportunity to play in the inaugural Holden NRL Women’s Premiership.

“When you run out with your team-mates and you’ve got the NRL badge on your jersey you forget about the travelling and sacrifices,” Wheeler said. “It is just an unreal feeling and something I will always treasure.

“People have left family and left jobs but they are sacrifices we are willing to make because we love the game so much.”

Howard has cut back her hours as a PE teacher at Singleton High School in the Hunter Valley while she is training and playing for the Dragons, who have the opportunity to qualify for next weekend’s grand final if they beat Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

“It is a pretty big opportunity and I guess we have just all made it work. I have gone casual this term to cater for footy,” she said.

Howard and Southwell share the driving during their round trips to training each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. They arrive home about 11pm.

Dragon Melanie Howard. Scott Davis/NRL Photos
Wheeler usually meets Howard and Southwell in Newcastle on Tuesday for the trip to Wollongong, stays overnight and then drives back with them on Wednesday night. The trio make the round trip together on Friday.

“We train in Wollongong on Tuesday and Friday and at Kogarah on Wednesday,” Southwell said. “It’s only for about eight weeks so it’s worth it. I am a personal trainer trainer so I can change my hours to suit me.”

With matches in the first two rounds of the Women’s Premiership drawing average television audiences of 215,000 and 16,724 fans being at ANZ Stadium to watch the Dragons beat the Warriors last Saturday, the players are gaining recognition from fans.

"I had a young girl come up to me at Suncorp and say she really liked the way I play and stuff like that. That was a shock for me," Wheeler said. "My partner has got two kids and they came up to watch. That was their first live NRL match, they loved it.

Dragon Holli Wheeler puts a great shot on Chelsea Lenarduzzi. Scott Davis/NRL Photos
“To see the smile on their faces made it all worth it, even though we got pumped. I overheard them saying, ‘Holli plays in the NRL’ and just things like that that show how proud they are of me.”

Howard said the response from her students had also been encouraging.

“They have been so cool, especially the kids I teach,” she said. “Heaps of them said how well I played and so many kids have told me that they had watched.”

As Howard teaches on Thursday and has to drive about an hour from Merewether to Singleton, Southwell usually drives home from Kogarah on Wednesday night.

“I have had to be super organised and we try to mix up the drivers because it is exhausting,” Howard said. “I probably do more driving than Hannah because I don’t work on Wednesday whereas she works Wednesday morning and will usually just sleep a bit.”

Wheeler, who roomed with Southwell during the NSW Women’s State of Origin camp, said the travelling had given the trio an opportunity to know each better.

“We just talk about day to day life. We have a laugh. They are amazing and it makes the trip so much easier with them.”



https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/21/meet-the-driving-force-behind-the-dragons-nrlw-campaign/

 

[getsmarty]

WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Late mail: NRLW Round 3 v Sydney Roosters
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 04:12 PM

St George Illawarra coach Daniel Lacey has finalised his team for the Round 3 NRL Holden Women's Premiership clash against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Skipper Sam Bremner (toe) has been ruled out again, with Honey Hireme shifting to fullback and Hannah Southwell moving to the centres. Kate Haren is the new face on the bench.

Asipau Mafi and Oneata Schwalger swaps between the bench and the front row, while Talia Atfield will act as 18th man.

Kicking off at 5:10pm, the Dragons require a win over the Roosters to qualify for next weekend's inaugural NRL Holden Women's Premiership grand final against the Brisbane Broncos.

The Dragons (-14 points differential) can only afford a one point loss to the Roosters (-16) to otherwise qualify for the grand final on percentages.

Women's Premiership squad for Round 3 v Roosters:

4. Honey Hireme – sponsored by My Muscle Chef
2. Rikeya Horne – sponsored by University of Wollongong
3. Jessica Sergis – sponsored by Powerade
15. Hannah Southwell
5. Shakiah Tungai
6. Keeley Davis – sponsored by Dincel
7. Raecene McGregor – sponsored by Wollongong Diagnostics
14. Holli Wheeler
9. Anneka Stephens
18. Asipau Mafi
11. Kezie Apps (c) – sponsored by Kingsgrove Sports Centre
12. Talesha Quinn – sponsored by Anytime Fitness
13. Annette Brander – sponsored by EFEX

Interchange:
8. Oneata Schwalger
16. Teina Clark
17. Melanie Howard
19. Kate Haren


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/22/late-mail-nrlw-round-3-v-sydney-roosters/

 

[getsmarty]

St George Illawarra grand final bid falls short

• Cameron Mee

Dragons Den

Tough day at the office: Dragons fullback Honey Hireme was put under pressure by the Roosters for the entirety of Saturday night's match. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding.


St George Illawarra’s bid for a place in the inaugural NRL Women’s grand final has fallen short after the Dragons were blown off the park by a determined Roosters team on Saturday night.

Despite not having won a game this season, the Roosters entered the match only needing to win by more than one point to secure a grand final berth. And they played like a grand final spot was on the line.

Roosters winger Taleena Simon was the star of the show, crossing for four tries.

St George Illawarra played valiantly, however they were unable to overpower their opponents, eventually falling 26-0.

The Dragons were left with a mountain to climb after a horror start which saw the side concede three tries in the first 11 minutes.

The Roosters opened their account through Simon in the fourth minute and they didn’t ease up for the remainder of the game.

An error by Kezie Apps put the Roosters straight back on the attack and the home-side punished St George Illawarra, with Simon crossing for her second.

Simon completed a first-half hat-trick just three minutes later when she pounced on a loose ball after fullback Honey Hireme was cruelled by a horror bounce.

Hireme found herself in the fullback position for the second-straight week after Sam Bremner was ruled out with a toe injury.

St George Illawarra were kept in the game by the Roosters goal kicking, with Zahara Temara missing all three of her first half conversion attempts.

The Dragons had a number of opportunities late in the half, however they were left to rue numerous of costly errors and headed to the sheds trailing 12-0.

The Roosters opened the second half as they did the first, with Simon crossing for her fourth try of the game.

St George Illawarra thought they had opened their account in the 53rd minute, only to be denied by the video referee.

The decision summed up the Dragons day, with seemingly everything the side attempted failing to come off.

Victoria Latu then closed out the Roosters account four minutes later to secure the victory and a spot in next Sunday’s grand final.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...inal-round-of-nrl-womens-premiership/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Dragons eliminated from NRLW
Author
Alicia Newton & Tanisha Stanton
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 06:30 PM

Four tries to Taleena Simon has launched the Sydney Roosters into the inaugural NRL Holden Women's Premiership grand final against Brisbane next week after a dominant 26-0 victory over St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite the Tricolours going into the game winless, the shortness of the competition meant Adam Hartigan's side only needed to win by two points to leapfrog the Dragons into second spot on the NRLW ladder following the Warriors' heavy round three loss to the Broncos.

The Roosters finally lived up to pre-season expectations to overcome pressure in front of a 15,577-strong home crowd, while it was a disappointing result for the Dragons with a grand final spot on the line, who went away from what worked well against the Warriors last start to finish the competition in third spot.

Hartigan opted for changes before the clash after a lacklustre fortnight in attack with Zahara Temara's move to halfback proving a masterstroke as the Tricolours clicked into gear immediately.

Hartigan said it was a decision he had to make after two disappointing losses.

"I think it's been more frustrating for the players - if you look at the side we recruited, I think they just thought it would happen," Hartigan said.

"Credit to the 17 that played, they were great.

Match Highlights: NRLW Roosters v Dragons - Round 3, 2018

"We were every disappointed round one, we got better against the Broncos, then some things fell into place today and we plan on getting better next week.

"I'm happy for the girls. It was a big weight off their shoulders now knowing that they're now into the first ever grand final against the Broncos."

St George Illawarra's right edge defence was dominant last week but had no answers as the Roosters created two easy overlaps for Simon to dive over twice in the corner within eight minutes.

"We felt like we needed to play a bit more direct, we needed to hold the Dragons up a bit to get some ball to Issy (Kelly) and Taleena (Simon) and that paid off," Hartigan said of his left-side centre/wing duo.

"There's a lot of instinct in that girl (Simon), she's very talented.

"She had a great week at training and identified that she wanted touch the ball a bit more."

Despite sideline goal-kicking being an issue in Maddie Studdon's absence with Temara missing five conversions, the Roosters were content to go up by fours and extended their lead out to a 12-point advantage with Simon landing on an awkward kick that Dragons fullback Honey Hireme failed to ground in-goal.

Hireme had an evening to forget after a player-of-the-match performance last week with Sam Bremner again ruled out late with a toe injury.

A set play from the scrum after halftime delivered Simon and the Roosters' fourth of the evening with Karina Brown finding the winger out wide on the run.

Another Dragons error from a Temara cross-field kick enabled Roosters debutant Brydie Parker to latch on to a gift four-pointer to stretch the lead out to 20 points midway through the second half.


The Red V were denied a try late in the game and continued to make errors as the Roosters completed a shut-out performance with Victoria Latu crashing over the line to set up a rematch with the Broncos on grand final day next week.

Dragons coach Daniel Lacey said despite blowing a chance of reaching next Sunday's first ever NRLW, he remained proud of his side's campaign in the competition.

"It's pretty sad in the change room," Lacey said.

"But I've addressed the group and spoke to them about how proud I have been throughout this whole process.

"We can put it down to that 60 minutes if we want but I'm looking beyond and what we've done leading into this game.

"From the word go it didn't go our way and we were chasing our tails from the very start but we kept chasing until the end and we're pretty proud of that."



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/22/roosters-dominate-in-nrlw-decider/

 

[Drag Queen]

WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Dragons eliminated from NRLW
Author
Alicia Newton & Tanisha Stanton
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 06:30 PM

Four tries to Taleena Simon has launched the Sydney Roosters into the inaugural NRL Holden Women's Premiership grand final against Brisbane next week after a dominant 26-0 victory over St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite the Tricolours going into the game winless, the shortness of the competition meant Adam Hartigan's side only needed to win by two points to leapfrog the Dragons into second spot on the NRLW ladder following the Warriors' heavy round three loss to the Broncos.

The Roosters finally lived up to pre-season expectations to overcome pressure in front of a 15,577-strong home crowd, while it was a disappointing result for the Dragons with a grand final spot on the line, who went away from what worked well against the Warriors last start to finish the competition in third spot.

Hartigan opted for changes before the clash after a lacklustre fortnight in attack with Zahara Temara's move to halfback proving a masterstroke as the Tricolours clicked into gear immediately.

Hartigan said it was a decision he had to make after two disappointing losses.

"I think it's been more frustrating for the players - if you look at the side we recruited, I think they just thought it would happen," Hartigan said.

"Credit to the 17 that played, they were great.

Match Highlights: NRLW Roosters v Dragons - Round 3, 2018

"We were every disappointed round one, we got better against the Broncos, then some things fell into place today and we plan on getting better next week.

"I'm happy for the girls. It was a big weight off their shoulders now knowing that they're now into the first ever grand final against the Broncos."

St George Illawarra's right edge defence was dominant last week but had no answers as the Roosters created two easy overlaps for Simon to dive over twice in the corner within eight minutes.

"We felt like we needed to play a bit more direct, we needed to hold the Dragons up a bit to get some ball to Issy (Kelly) and Taleena (Simon) and that paid off," Hartigan said of his left-side centre/wing duo.

"There's a lot of instinct in that girl (Simon), she's very talented.

"She had a great week at training and identified that she wanted touch the ball a bit more."

Despite sideline goal-kicking being an issue in Maddie Studdon's absence with Temara missing five conversions, the Roosters were content to go up by fours and extended their lead out to a 12-point advantage with Simon landing on an awkward kick that Dragons fullback Honey Hireme failed to ground in-goal.

Hireme had an evening to forget after a player-of-the-match performance last week with Sam Bremner again ruled out late with a toe injury.

A set play from the scrum after halftime delivered Simon and the Roosters' fourth of the evening with Karina Brown finding the winger out wide on the run.

Another Dragons error from a Temara cross-field kick enabled Roosters debutant Brydie Parker to latch on to a gift four-pointer to stretch the lead out to 20 points midway through the second half.


The Red V were denied a try late in the game and continued to make errors as the Roosters completed a shut-out performance with Victoria Latu crashing over the line to set up a rematch with the Broncos on grand final day next week.

Dragons coach Daniel Lacey said despite blowing a chance of reaching next Sunday's first ever NRLW, he remained proud of his side's campaign in the competition.

"It's pretty sad in the change room," Lacey said.

"But I've addressed the group and spoke to them about how proud I have been throughout this whole process.

"We can put it down to that 60 minutes if we want but I'm looking beyond and what we've done leading into this game.

"From the word go it didn't go our way and we were chasing our tails from the very start but we kept chasing until the end and we're pretty proud of that."



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/22/roosters-dominate-in-nrlw-decider/

I can only say we didn't buy a team unlike the Roosters. Typical.

 

[getsmarty]

Lacey: St George Illawarra have bright future despite NRL Women's defeat

• Cameron Mee

Dragons Den

Home-grown talent: Avondale's Shakiah Tungai excelled for the Dragons this year. Picture: NRL Imagery/Robb Cox.

St George Illawarra coach Daniel Lacey has credited the NRL Women's premiership for inspiring a new generation of girls to play rugby league.

Lacey, who is also the Illawarra Steelers Under 18 girls Tarsha Gale Cup coach, has been involved in the women's game since 2013. The new NRL competition, he believes, has triggered a boom in interest in women’s rugby league.

“I said to the girls in the change rooms, the thing we’re really excited about is now the young girls can see the pathway into what these girls have done,” Lacey said after Saturday’s loss to the Roosters.

“Now we look forward to producing the new girls that come through into our pathways. That’s the best thing about this competition, that it was all new, now it’s been out there and everybody wants more.”

Lacey highlighted the explosion in popularity of the Sam Bremner Shield, to be contested in Albion Park on Tuesday, as an example of the interest among girls.

This year will see a record 45 teams contest the ninth edition of the southern NSW schools competition.

“Yes definitely the interest has grown, both in our area, and, if you look at the numbers now in the state cup, even outside our area. We have the Sam Bremner Shield and teams have gone from 20 to 45 in one year.

“There’s some really good stories there, we love the feedback from young girls that want to be a part of this. They want to be the next Kezie [Apps], want to know how to do it and we can give them a pathway now. The numbers are staggering to tell you the truth.

“I think as a game we need to be on top of that, facilitate every aspect of that. I know at the Dragons we sort of had things in place for the last couple of years. I’m glad we’re ahead of it, because we’ve got to keep on top of it.”

While the sport has found a new player base among girls, the increase in player numbers has been seen across women of all ages.

The Illawarra region has been at the forefront of the women's game, with the launch of a women's first grade competition in 2011.

After playing for Berkeley in 2017, Avondale’s Shakiah Tungai made the move to her local club in 2018, with the Greyhounds fielding a women’s team for the first time this season.

“This year at Avondale the majority of the girls were new to the game,” Tungai said. “Next year and in the years to come it’s just going to get bigger with newcomers, so I’m looking forward to that.

“There’s a pathway now for local girls through the Steelers and the Tarsha Gale girls. It’s awesome that Daniel picked local girls for our NRL side.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...onfident-girls-have-future-in-league/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

NRL COMMUNITY


Selfless Jessica Skinner making a difference at grassroots level
Author
Tanisha Stanton
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 10:01 AM

Women's rugby league in the western regions of NSW has been taken to new heights with the help of Women in League Achievement Award winner Jessica Skinner, who dedicates her time to developing talented players in country areas.

The Trangie Central School teacher has been coaching for five years, guiding the Western Rams league tag team before taking the reins of the club's tackle team last year.

She has also coached the Far West Academy league tag team and filled an assistant coaching role at the recent Jillaroos development camp.

ARLC Chairman Peter Beattie and St George Illawarra Dragons winger Rikeya Horne presented the NRL Community Award to Jessica in late August for the commitment she has shown in ensuring young girls have every chance to be successful when going through the pathways to the elite level. The award is proudly supported by Harvey Norman.

"Coaching is something I sort of fell into but something that I'm now extremely passionate about," Skinner said.

National Women in League Achievement Award 2018 – Jess Skinner

"With how rapidly the game is growing I feel responsible to do my part in growing the game from a female perspective especially out here in the country.

"I want to be a role model for our girls and that's what the game offers as well, a chance not only to be the best player you can be but it teaches you to be resilient, to be strong, independent while building connections.

"And at the same time I've learnt a lot from my players which I believe has made me a better person."

Jessica has been a pioneer in implementing the inaugural league tag academy program, developing female youth across remote and rural communities in the Barwon Darling, Outback and Castlereagh Leagues.

In the NSW country regions league tag has been a dominant sport for young girls and women and Skinner said her goal was to grow the contact element of the game with the many pathways that are giving an opportunity to talented players.

"We are a very big league tag community but tackle is just starting to develop out here and it's extremely important that we expose our girls to the contact aspect of the game," Skinner said.

"League tag can only take you to the Country Championships and that's it. There's nothing beyond that for them to strive for, whereas the women's premiership that has been brought in this year will continue to evolve and the game's pathways have become more clear.

"My passion is my western area girls - trying to make sure that when the time comes for them that they're all at the level that is expected for those elite pathways that are available now.

"There is so much raw talent in these communities and they do have fantastic work ethics, they are very motivated and commitment."

Jessica said the launch of the women's competition has already had an impact on the game in the country as they've seen an increase in participation with young girls switching codes.

"The premiership is a huge motivator for a lot of these girls," Skinner said.

"And we start seeing some of these girls coming over from touch footy, union, league tag - they're all transitioning over because they see those pathways and they're quite clear now.

"With the four teams the quality of football that we're starting to see and it's on mainstream TV - we have 12-year-old girls who are wanting to strive for that.

"When they're ready to go at 18 or 20 who knows where the game will be then, it's only going to get bigger and better."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...nner-making-a-difference-at-grassroots-level/

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Well done to our girls.
They will build on this.
Wear the Red V proudly.

 

[Warabrook saint]

St George Illawarra’s Talesha Quinn on why she loves the physicality of rugby league and the importance of being a good role model for younger sportswomen. By Paul Connolly.

Growing up I watched a lot of league, especially with Mum. I was a [Canterbury] Bulldogs supporter when I was younger. I suppose I still am. People assume because I’m a player with the [St George Illawarra] Dragons now that I’d be a Dragons fan, but I actually go for the Bulldogs.

There was no rugby league for girls in Parkes [NSW], where I grew up, so I played everything else under the sun. Touch footy was my main sport. My parents would have been sick of me playing it and driving me to games. But without touch I wouldn’t be where I am today; there are so many skills that translate to tackle footy.

I wanted to be a vet when I was younger but I don’t think I had the brains. I moved to Wollongong when I was 21 to study population health at Wollongong Uni. I lasted six months before dropping out. I tried wildlife science at Queensland Uni, too, but – and I’m going to sound like a dropout here – that wasn’t for me either.

It was after that that my parents suggested I join the Australian Defence Force. I thought that would be a pretty sick job. Being from the country, the idea of going camping, being able to put on camouflage uniform every day, appealed to me. I could be my natural tomboy self. I enlisted and was posted to Townsville. I love it. It’s like being part of a big family.

It was during my time in Wollongong I got into league. I lived in Berkeley, across the road from an oval. One day I saw a women’s league team, the Berkeley Eagles, training. I walked over and asked if I could play. I’d played league once before when I was 16 but this was different and I loved it immediately. I ended up joining the team.

I love the physicality of league. That’s why I play. Tackling is the best part of the game. I love putting shots on; I love girls putting shots on me. I’ll get up from being hit hard and say, “Good shot”, with a big smile on my face. Some people get aggressive when they get hit and taken down but I appreciate that women can tackle well.

I made a few representative teams out of playing for the Eagles but when I got shipped to Townsville with the ADF I found out there was no women’s league comp up there. I took up rugby union for the contact – I was still hitting people; that was good – but I hated every game because it seemed like I got injured every game. I dislocated a hip, broke my ankle, broke my wrist, broke my thumb, broke my nose.

Last year the Cronulla Sharks [in the Sydney Metropolitan Women’s Rugby League competition] offered me a contract but I thought I couldn’t take it up. But the Defence Force was amazing and transferred me to Sydney so I could play. That was the start of an incredible period. Since then I’ve played for NSW in the first women’s State of Origin game and I represented Australia in the World Cup held in Sydney. Now I’ve been given two months’ paid leave to play with the Dragons in the first women’s NRL competition. I feel so lucky.

I never thought I’d play NRL. I remember seeing the amount of coverage the AFL girls got last year and thinking, in the back of my mind, how great it would be for the NRL to have a women’s comp. That it’s now happening is surreal.

It’s just a four-team comp at this point – and I really feel for Cronulla and South Sydney who missed out – but I think it’s better to start small than go too big too soon and fail. I think it’ll make the girls on the fringes work even harder, which will make the sides even stronger in the future.

At the moment [in terms of salaries] you couldn’t quit your job to play footy. But it’s a start because we’ve played so long without money, and had to sacrifice so much to do it. Some girls lost their jobs because they were playing in the World Cup. Girls before us have had to pay their own accommodation, their own flights, their own uniform costs. They’ve had to pay money to play for their country. To even know girls are getting some money now is great.

I hope that in five to 10 years it becomes a professional competition. There is so much talent coming through now and it would be really exciting to see if we become full-time how far we’ll be able to go in the sport. It’s crazy for me knowing I am a role model for girls out there, and it’s hard to understand how much influence we now have on the younger girls coming through. So I think it’s important for us live up to that.

Credit: SUPPLIED
Dragons’ slayer: Talesha Quinn, 29, rugby league player


https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au...a-quinn-29-rugby-league-player/15375384006880

Very nice Talesha we love bulldog supporters

 

[BLM01]

I can only say we didn't buy a team unlike the Roosters. Typical.

Not that you see it when she's presenting or hosting on TV but is'nt Ruan Sims a big unit...and just in case some may get the PC and defensive cards out.. I was saying it in football terms

 

[getsmarty]

REPRESENTATIVE


Macdonald named for Kumuls to play PM's XIII
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 25 Sep 2018, 11:41 AM

St George Illawarra winger Nene Macdonald, Cronulla hooker James Segeyaro and Canterbury back-rower Rhyse Martin head a strong contingent of NRL and Super League players named in the Papua New Guinea squad to play the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby on October 6.

Macdonald, Segeyaro and Martin are among six NRL players in the 18-man squad, which also includes Catalans fullback David Mead and Widnes Vikings prop Wellington Albert.

Other NRL players are Melbourne winger Justin Olam, Sydney Roosters playmaker Lachlan Lam and North Queensland five-eighth Kyle Laybutt.

The remaining players are drawn from Queensland's Intrust Super Cup and include Easts Tigers hooker Tom Butterfield, Souths Logan Magpies centre Daniel Russell and eight members of the PNG Hunters team.

The squad, which is largely comprised of players from this year's Pacific Test and the 2017 World Cup teams, will assemble in Port Moresby this week, with Lam and Olam to arrive after completing commitments with their NRL clubs in Sunday's grand final.

Cronulla and PNG hooker James Segeyaro. Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
The annual clash between the Kumuls and the Australian PM's XIII has been moved as PNG Hunters players were unavailable last year due to the Intrust Super Cup grand final.

PNG Kumuls squad:
Daniel Russell – South Logan Magpies (Intrust Super Cup)
David Mead – Catalans Dragons (Super League)
Edene Gabi – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Enock Maki – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
James Segeyaro – Cronulla Sharks (NRL)
Justin Olam – Melbourne Storm (NRL)
Kyle Laybutt – North Queensland Cowboys (NRL)
Lachlan Lam – Sydney Roosters
Moses Meninga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Nene McDonald – St George Illawara (NRL)
Nixon Putt – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhadley Brawa – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhyse Martin – Canterbury Bulldogs (NRL)
Stanton Albert – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Tom Butterfield – Easts Tigers (Intrust Super Cup)
Watson Boas – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Wellington Albert – Widnes Vikings (Super League
Willie Minoga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/25/macdonald-named-for-kumuls-to-play-pms-xiii/

 

[Warabrook saint]

Hireme nails fullback spot against Ferns mates
Author
Chris Kennedy
Timestamp
Sat 22 Sep 2018, 07:01 AM

NRLW Dragons centre Honey Hireme was a late switch into fullback for the injured Sam Bremner last week and the reluctant fullback was one of the best players on the park in what was her first outing against a host of Kiwi Ferns teammates.

Hireme busted four tackles and her 170 metres, including a runaway try, was easily a match high (Warriors centre Sarina Clark was second with 128) in the crucial 22-10 win.

It's not a bad result given she only found out 24 hours before the game that Jillaroos fullback Bremner had failed to overcome a niggling toe injury.

"I have played a little bit at fullback – 10 years ago!" Hireme laughed when asked by NRL.com about her preparation.

"I just found out [Friday] afternoon just before training. I was pretty gutted to hear about Sammy's injury. It's one of those times you just have to step up. It's probably not my preferred position but it's what's best for the team so fullback it was.

"I was probably more worried about the lungs, being back there, than anything. I'd run there at training a couple of times. It was just making sure I knew my role back there. I think I was still a bit rusty."

Dragons centre Honey Hireme. Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
The 37-year-old was the top try-scorer at the 2017 World up with 13 four-pointers in what was her third World Cup but despite her wealth of experience, ranks last weekend's NRLW clash against her Ferns teammates as among the most nervous she has been before a match.

"Usually I don't get so nervous but knowing I was up against my mates, and some of them are my really good mates, I definitely did have nerves out there," she said.

"I suppose the thing with playing against your mates is they know what you can do and vice versa so you can kind of use it to your advantage but they had an advantage as well. They're a smart outfit, they grind and grind."

Despite the confidence-boosting performance at the back, Hireme was hopeful of having skipper Bremner – who was since named in the team on Tuesday – back for the critical third-round meeting with the Roosters.

Dragons coach Daniel Lacey praised the way Hireme and the team coped with the loss of Bremner to bounce back strongly from an opening week 30-4 loss to Brisbane.

"It's not ideal to lose Sammy but we went straight into look at the plan," he said.

"Sam was upset she couldn't play [but] around the girls she's been really positive. We knew we needed to think about what comes next, not what could have been and roll with the punches.

"The good thing is we've been training in all different positions. I wanted these girls to learn how to play rugby league. Some of them haven't played at this level before.

"At training we've been doing all different types of things to work on what your role is in the team. Because I've had to change a few people, I'm changing things on the run and they're adapting to it.

"We gave Sammy til quite late (on the Friday before the game) but the doc said it's probably best to be kept in the boot so we made that call early."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/22/hireme-nails-fullback-spot-against-ferns-mates/

Geez she looks like a great athlete

 

[getsmarty]

REPRESENTATIVE


13 Dragons named in Prime Minister's XIII squads
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 26 Sep 2018, 12:15 PM

13 St George Illawarra Dragons players have been named to represent the two Prime Minister's XIII teams to play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday, October 6.

Four NRL and nine Women's Premiership Dragons players will represent their respective Prime Minister XII teams against the Kumuls and Orchids respectively.

Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Reece Robson and Zac Lomax will represent the men's side with coach Mal Meninga opting for a mix of youth and experience ahead of the junior and senior Kangaroos squads being named in the coming weeks.

They will oppose Dragons winger Nene Macdonald who was named to play for the Kumuls on Tuesday.

"We have struck a good balance by including some of our more experienced representative players to play alongside some very talented young players," Meninga said.

"A strong performance in Port Moresby on Saturday week will go some way to helping decide the final squads we take across to New Zealand for the upcoming Tests."

NRL Holden Women's Premiership octet Rikeya Horne, Shakiah Tungai, Hannah Southwell, Keeley Davis, Asipau Mafi, Talesha Quinn and Holli Wheeler will also represent the Dragons against Papua New Guinea.

Dragons Women's Premiership development player and St George Tarsha Gale Cup representative Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili will also play for the Women's Prime Minister's XIII.

Australian Prime Minister's XIII men's squad

1. Corey Allen (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons)
3. Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sharks)
4. Brian Kelly (Manly Sea Eagles)
5. Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders)
6. Jake Clifford (North Queensland Cowboys)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) (Manly Sea Eagles)
8. David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
9. Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons)
10. Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys)
11. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
12. Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
13. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
Interchange:
14. Aaron Woods (Cronulla Sharks)
15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)
16. Matt Prior (Cronulla Sharks)
17. Chad Townsend (Cronulla Sharks)
18. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
19. Reece Robson (St George Illawarra Dragons)
20. Enari Tuala (North Queensland Cowboys)

Australian Prime Minister's XIII women's squad

1. Rikeya Horne (St George Illawarra Dragons)
2. Shakiah Tungai (St George Illawarra Dragons)
3. Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
4. Patricia Raikadroka (Mounties)
5. Rhiannon Revell-Blair (Brothers Ipswich)
6. Keeley Davis (St George Illawarra Dragons)
7. Quincy Dodd (Sydney Roosters)
8. Rebecca Young (c) (CRL Newcastle)
9. Juraea Turner (Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – WA)
10. Asipau Mafi (St George Illawarra Dragons)
11. Sally Dwyer (Parkes Spacemen)
12. Talesha Quinn (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Holli Wheeler (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Interchange:
14. Michaela Peck (ADF)
15. Naivada George (Werribee Bears – Vic)
16. Eliza Wilson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
17. Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili (St George Illawarra Dragons)
18. Melanie Howard (St George Illawarra Dragons)
19. Sarah Togatuki (Sydney Roosters)



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/26/13-dragons-named-in-prime-ministers-xiii-squads/

 

[getsmarty]

Creating Pathways: 2018 Sam Bremner Shield
A record number of 45 teams from 22 schools stretching from Corrimal to Ulladulla headed to Albion Park’s Croome Road Sporting complex for the annual Sam Bremner Shield on Tuesday. We caught up with the namesake herself on the importance of opportunities such as this for young women wanting a future in rugby league.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/26/creating-pathways-2018-sam-bremner-shield/

 

[getsmarty]

JILLAROOS


Horne steps up to fullback for PM's XIII
Author
Margie McDonald Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 26 Sep 2018, 05:13 PM

Dragons winger Rikeya Horne has been named fullback for the Jillaroos PM's XIII side to play the Papua New Guinea Orchids next month.

With Chelsea Baker (Broncos) and Karina Brown (Roosters) involved in Sunday's inaugural NRLW grand final, plus St George Illawarra No.1 Sam Bremner (toe) still on the casualty list, Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has turned to Horne.

Roosters' Test fullback Nakia Davis-Welsh is still recovering from a syndesmosis ankle strain.

"Rikeya played fullback in the Australian side at the Commonwealth championships earlier in the year," Donald said.

"Sam is racing the clock to get back in time for the [October 13 Kiwis Ferns] Test match. Hopefully she comes through so she stakes her claims for that side."

Donald has only selected two Jillaroos in his PM's squad of 19 players – forwards Talesha Quinn and Rebecca Young.

Young, a World Cup-winning Jillaroo and Indigenous All Stars skipper, will captain the side.

"Rebecca unfortunately missed out on a spot in one of the four premiership teams this year and she's given an awful lot to the game over a very long time," Donald said.

"She got a competition up and running in Newcastle and their team plays in the NSW Cup here in Sydney. She also played for the NSW Origin side earlier in the year."

That makes Young the type of player Donald wants on this trip to PNG for the October 6 curtain-raiser to Mal Meninga's PM"s XIII taking on the Kumuls.

"It's a really good opportunity for her to lead a young team," Donald said.

"It's about bringing players in and indoctrinating them to the Jillaroos culture.

"And 50 per cent of that is what we expect off the field. It's really important for them to understand that off-field behaviours, their values, are really important to this team.

"There's 17 women there that haven't played for us before so it's a good chance for us to get a closer look at them too and inspire them to get a Test match jumper."

The Jillaroos also played the Orchids in last year's double-header in Port Moresby, but this year the women's team also carries the Prime Minister's XIII tag.

Both the Kangaroos and Jillaroos jersey will display the words "Strong Men Respect Women" on the front as the Australian and PNG governments use the powerful vehicle of rugby league to help cut rates of domestic violence.

"This is the second time I've taken a team north," Donald said. "The attitudes are changing.

"A lot of the males in powerful positions in the PNGRL were saying how wonderful it was to have an Orchids team playing.

"To see two good women's rugby league teams proudly on show sends a powerful message."

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/27/horne-steps-up-to-fullback-for-pms-xiii/

 

[getsmarty]

NRL NEWS


The story behind the forgotten Dally M Medal
Author
Neil Cadigan
Timestamp
Thu 27 Sep 2018, 11:01 AM

I still remember the day well. Steve "Slippery" Morris headed into the News Limited head office in Holt Street to receive the 1979 Dally M Medal as the Daily Mirror's player of the year.

I first met and interviewed Slippery the year before when he was a bolter selection as halfback in the Australian team that played New Zealand – chosen from the Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra competition after shining for Country Seconds with his blinding speed off the mark.

St George quickly snapped him up with Dapto teammate Brian Johnson and they went on to star in the Dragons' premiership success.

To win a grand final and become the Mirror's player of the year in his debut season in Sydney was a massive feat and fellow young Mirror journalist Tim Prentice and I were given the responsibility of meeting Morris, taking him around to News Limited Sydney boss Brian Hogben's office to accept the medal, get a photo taken and then take Slippery to lunch at the Evening Star hotel.

I still remember Slippery being a bit dirty that there was no cash prize to accompany the Dally M Medal as Parramatta's Mick Cronin had won the Mirror's award in '78 which included, I think, a $1000 booty. But it was under the name of the KB Gold Medal if my memory serves me right, sponsored by Tooths brewery.

Watch: Dally M Red Carpet Show

The 1979 version was the launch of the Dally M – but, until now, had been written out of history.

As my career took me to Tasmania towards the end of the next season and through Rugby League Week, to England, club administration and Big League, I always wondered why Slippery's medal was ignored on the official lists as the Dally M took over from the Rothmans Medal, which became defunct after 1996, as league's most distinguished player award.

The voting system was the same – points allocated on a 3, 2, 1 basis by a panel that included either reporters from the Mirror (or later the Daily Telegraph after the afternoon tabloid The Mirror folded in 1990) or guest judges like columnists Clive Churchill, Bernie Purcell, Ken Irvine or Bob Fulton.

The only difference was that the following season, 1980, positional awards were added to the Dally M concept after Channel 10, which had taken over televised rights from Channel 7, approached the Mirror about staging a Rothmans Medal style presentation dinner to be broadcast live.

Robert "Rocky" Laurie won that year's major award and in all annals since that was recorded as the launch of the Dally Ms as we know them today.

Like me, Slippery also wondered why he had been banished into anonymity. I ran into him at a Dapto players reunion around 2003 and he asked me about that day he came into Holt Street and why the medal he still possessed that was never recognised.

I told Slippery I would look into it.

I was editor of Big League at the time and the Dally M Medal concept was run as an award by the Telegraph although the NRL was taking an increasing role in the awards night. Over the next few years the NRL took more control over what became the "official" awards of the game, just as The Immortals – a Rugby League Week promotion in 1981 – grew to what it is today.

I spoke to NRL boss David Gallop about it who told me the Dally M was still the responsibility of the Telegraph and I should speak to chief league writer and my former Mirror colleague Peter Frilingos. Peter explained how the Dally M expanded in 1980 to include awards in each position and became a gala TV event and it was decided to recognise winners from then. I unsuccessfully argued Morris owned a medal with the same name which decided on the same merit as the others, and deserved to be recognised in some way.

Come the game's centenary year in 2008 when I was working as a contractor for the NRL and the Daily Telegraph I posed the question again to several people suggesting it was the perfect time to recognise Morris's achievement but, with the Dally M in a grey area between the two organisations as it kept evolving, the argument again failed to get traction.

A decade later, earlier this year, I asked league's most respected and knowledgeable historian/statistician David Middleton if he was aware Morris had won what I believed was the first Dally M Medal in 1979. Even he had no idea of the situation, having assumed the medal's history began in 1980.

It was through Middleton's advocacy as part of the NRL's history committee, after tracking down 1979 press clippings, that he garnered support within the NRL and the long saga was finally resolved at the Dally M awards night this week and Slippery was finally given the recognition he deserves.

The NRL management under Todd Greenberg, the Telegraph and most certainly Middleton should be applauded for enabling Steve Morris's name to be written back into history and giving him such a justifiable surprise in front of his sons Brett and Josh.

Weeks after the NRL made the right decision to add four pre-war champions to the Immortals list, the two most celebrated player awards in rugby league are now complete.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/27/the-story-behind-the-forgotten-dally-m-medal/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons great Steve Morris honoured at Dally M Medal night

• 
  Courtney Ward

Local Sport

Steve Morris in action for the Dragons in 1982.

WHILE New Zealand Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may have taken out the main award on offer at Wednesday night’s Dally M Medal night, held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay in Sydney – it was one South Coast product who received his own massive honour.

In a special presentation, former St George player Steve Morris, who now teaches at Bomaderry High School and is heavily involved with the Kiama Knights, was officially added to the record books as the first recipient of the Dally M Medal.

Morris, who played 247 first grade games as well as five State of Origins for NSW and one Test for Australia, was awarded a Dally M Medal in 1979, but until Wednesday night was never acknowledged as a Dally M Medal winner.

"Steve has never been recognised since, but our records will be updated to show he won the first Dally M Medal,'' NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said to Fairfax Media of the father of NRL twins Josh and Brett.


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...orris-honoured-at-dally-m-medal-night/?cs=302

 

[getsmarty]

NRL development October holiday clinics (Kogarah & Illawarra)
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 27 Sep 2018, 03:39 PM

NRL development, tackle and tag holiday clinics are on again this October with two of the three clinics for girls only

Area

Date

Time

Age group

Kogarah (Girls only)

October 5

9am -12pm

8-17 years

Helensburgh

October 5

9:30am -12:30pm

5-12 years

Shellharbour (Girls only)

October 12

9:30am – 12:30pm

6-16 years





Registrations are now open at http://www.playnrl.com/programs/. Simply type the postcode

• 2508 for the Helensburgh clinic
• 2529 for the Shellharbour clinic
• 2217 for the Kogarah clinic

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...t-october-holiday-clinics-kogarah--illawarra/