MOVING from fullback into the second row - it's by no means an easy task for a footballer, but when Charlie-Mai Fox was given such a challenge this season she embraced it.
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Fox's high work rate and physicality added starch to the under 16 Panorama Platypi's defensive line which had been missing in their opening games of the 2020 Western Women's Rugby League campaign.
It also saw her named best and fairest for the 16 Platypi, nudging out Lauren Roels for the award decided by votes from opposition coaches.
"I had her at fullback for the first three games, she'd played there for the past two seasons," Platypi 16s coach Mick Roels said.
"I wanted to fix up a few issues with our line defence so they weren't getting through all the time, so I put her into the second row and moved Paige [Lowe] to fullback. That made a big difference because Charlie was making those same tackles up in defence rather than doing them one-on-one behind the line.
"It's the mental ability that she has, she's a competitor. When you're a competitor you'll do everything you can, you'll put your body on the line."
Fox was just one of the players acknowledged for their efforts this season when the Panorama Platypi held their presentation day.
Lowe picked up the players' player award for the 16s, Kealey Gillespie the coach's award and Amelie Fitzgerald the most improved.
In the under 13s development side which was formed for the first time this season, Tameika Clarke was named best and fairest, Jessica Gearside the most improved while the coach's award went to Ellablu Boyling.
Mary Maher's efforts in the second row saw her get the nod as the under 14s best and fairest, while Jade Leven (coach's award) and Bree Muldoon (most improved) also had good seasons.
Having been joint under 18s best and fairest for the league it was no surprise Madison Marmion picked up that award on a club level as well. Madelynn Vallis (coach's award) and Jade Janssen (most improved) were the Platypi's other under 18s award winners.
For Platypi opens side which fell one win short of a grand final appearance, playmaker Emma Miller took out best and fairest honours.
Prop Molly Kennedy was named players' player and hooker Zarlia Griffiths won the coach's award.
Opens coach Kevin Grimshaw said Miller's work in the halves was impressive as she showed the experience of having played in previous WWRL campaigns.
"She was very good, she held the team together I think," he said.
"I was very happy with the way she went and the way she handled herself in a pretty inexperienced side and she's a lovely girl too. She's got the respect of the girls as well which is important."
Grimshaw, who coached a Platypi side for the first time this season, said he was impressed with the overall standard of his squad and believes it will only get better as the talented juniors progress to the senior ranks.
"I really enjoyed it actually, their skill levels are pretty good, their attitude was excellent and their commitment was excellent as well," he said.
"I couldn't ask anything more of them and I think the standard is only going to get better, the football is only going to get better with the development of all the girls that are coming from the 14s right through."
Having been involved with the club since its inception, Roels is also excited to see the continued development of the Platypi players.
"Their skill development is amazing, they pick it up so quick. It seems to be that way for the girls, their hand-eye co-ordination is a little bit better than the boys, and they want to learn," he said.
"They are looking at a second round of games so we have a home and away season for next year, if they do that they'll only get better."
