Pilley firms for women state side
FORMER Jillaroos star and Burleigh women’s coach Tahnee Norris has touted Amber Pilley as a State of Origin smoky.
Queensland will try to wrestle back the trophy they once held for 17 consecutive years when they face two-time defending champions NSW in a one-off showdown on June 22 at North Sydney Oval.
Norris says Pilley is standing out week after week for the Bears in the SEQ Women’s Division
One competition and deserves to be firmly in contention for an Origin debut.
“She is just playing such good footy,” Norris said.
“I would love to see her get called up. She has made the Indigenous All Stars team the last two years and she is just really making a name for herself.”
The centre has the chance to further stake her claim this weekend when she joins eight Bears teammates in lining up for Queensland City in the National Championships at Owen Park from Friday to Sunday.
“She is in the Queensland squad at the moment so if she can put together a really good nationals, I think she is really putting her hand up for a centre position for the Queensland team for sure,” Norris said.
Along with Queensland City, the National Championships will feature teams from Queensland Country, NSW City, NSW Country, Combined Affiliate States and the Australian Defence Force.
Capping a busy three days at Southport, Queensland Rugby League will also host their men’s and women’s state titles in which several Gold Coast players will compete for South East Queensland.
Among them is Pilley’s sister Tayla, who is also a centre.