Jillaroos star praises the efforts of Valley Fillies
RUGBY LEAGUE: Fresh after recording their first ever win in the BRL A-grade competition, the Valleys Fillies have drawn praise from one of the game’s elite forwards.
Jillaroo and Queensland representative Heather Ballinger heaped praise on the development of the game in Toowoomba, commenting on the heart and soul the team possesses.
Despite lining up for the West Brisbane Panthers in the BRL, she said there was a lot of respect around for the Toowoomba-based side.
“They’ve done a marvellous job. They were in division two for the past few years and top of the table there, and it’s good they’re getting the support to get them into division one,” Ballinger said.
“They have been giving everything and putting their heart and soul into it.
“A classic example is finally getting a win against a side in the top three (Brothers Ipswich). It builds confidence and they deserved it.
“I know the next time we play them it isn’t going to be an easy game. It’s a massive credit to them.”
Molly O’Connell iced the game against Brothers with a dashing scrum try in the final stages of the game, but she said the intensity of the contest was what caught her eye.
“At the time it didn’t click we actually won. It was such a back and forth game,” O’Connell said.
“Brothers were runners up last year, and to beat a quality team is what we’ve been working for.
“We had a scrum and I knew I could get over the winger. It was a great moment in the game, and with about seven minutes to go I knew we had the game.”
The Valleys Fillies have a golden opportunity to build on their historic win when they host the Souths Logan Magpies at Herb Steinohrt Oval on Saturday.
The Fillies pushed the Magpies to their limits back in round one, and O’Connell is looking for a similar effort on the weekend.
“They’ve got a couple of girls out for State of Origin and have had a few injuries like us,” she said.
“They picked up a few new signings compared to team in the first week. Hopefully we can do what we did last week and tackle everything that comes at us.”