Panorama stars Meredith Jones and Bec Ford will skipper Western throughout this year's women's country championship as Rams coach Jess Skinner looks to experience to guide her exciting young side through its 2019 campaign.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Skinner confirmed her team to take on Monaro in its championship opener at Parkes on Sunday, with Western Women's Rugby League contenders Goannas and Panorama dominating the side with seven representatives each.
Western will then take on Greater Southern Region Wests Tigers at Bathurst the week after and Skinner says she's picked her 2019 outfit both with the view of winning in 2019, but also looking toward future Western sides.
And that's why Ford and Meredith will skipper the team.
“Their presence in the team motivates the girls, just with their maturity," Skinner said.
"It's the second year as part of the team for both of them, as well, so they've played at this level and understand the pressure.
"They’re calm, great leaders."
Under 18s guns Molly Hoswell, Taneka Toddhunter and Alahna Ryan demanded selection in the side, particularly the former.
We've done the work ... we're ready to get on the field.
- Western coach Jess Skinner.
Hoswell has been a star with Woodbridge Cup's under 18s side and her speed will be a real weapon on the wing for the Rams.
“Definitely, her speed is a big asset but she’s got good eyes-up football as well. She’s quiet young, so are Taneka Todhunter and Alahna Ryan too ... it’s about building," she added.
“A lot of the girls on the team are quite new, majority came from ID day we had last November."
Monaro will pose a difficult first-up assignment for Skinner's Rams, the Colts enjoying two wins over their Western rivals in the only two games the divisions' women's sides have met.
Skinner is under no illusions, Monaro will be tough to beat.
But the experienced coach is also confident Western is well prepared in 2019.
“We've got a new group, but we’ve been in this position before … everything was still new to us last year as well. We're confident the girls will give it their all," Skinner said, Western training once a week together since November.
“Defence, in this competition, it will win games for you but if you're not prepared it'll lose you the game.
"We've done the work. Physically, the girls will rest up before Sunday's game but mentally the girls are ready to go. We're ready to get on the field."
- WESTERN: 1 Heidi Regan (Woodbridge), 2 Meredith Jones (Panorama), 3 Demi Chapman (Panorama), 4 Emily Caton (Goannas), 5 Molly Hoswell (Woodbridge), 6 Brittany Naden (Goannas), 7 Rebecca Ford (Panorama), 8 Hayley Lepaio (Panorama), 9 Lailee Phillips (Panorama), 10 Zarlia Griffith (Panorama), 11 Kayla Hasson-Williams (Goannas), 12 Cassie Toomey (Goannas), 13 Taneka Toddhunter (Goannas); Bench: 14 Alahna Ryan (Goannas), 15 Chantel Burgess (Castlereagh), 16 Chloe White (Woodbridge), 17 Anna Evans (Panorama), 18 Haley Joseph (Mudgee), 19 Jamarra Burns-Elmes (Goannas).
WESTERN v MONARO DRAW
Jock Colley Field, Pioneer Oval, Parkes
9am – Western Dev v Far West Academy
10.15am – Western Rams v Monaro Colts (Johns Cup)
11.35am – Western Rams v Monaro Colts (Daley Cup)
1.05pm – Western Rams v Monaro Colts (women's)
2.20pm – Western Rams v Monaro Colts (Under 23s)
Want to keep up to date with Bathurst sport? Sign up to our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts here:
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
