Brothers to learn lessons from loss

THE four-and-a-half-hour trip to and from a game eventually took its toll on Townsville Brothers, but a club legend believes it could be the making of several up-and-coming stars.

Jenni-sue Hoepper opted to sit out the season in order to overcome a persistent back injury that has hindered her for a number of years.

But even after her side – and the A-grade men – went down in Sunday’s grand finals in Mackay, the North Queensland Gold Stars captain saw enough this season to suggest there were future NRLW stars in their midst.

Brothers’ women went down to their Sugar City counterparts 30-8, while the men suffered a 42-18 loss at the hands of Wests Tigers, as the constant travel down south proved a monumental challenge throughout the campaign.

Having lost last year’s Townsville title decider, Hoepper said the women would have extra fire in the belly should 2021 present a similar season, equipped with the knowledge of how to overcome such challenges.

For that reason, she believed Brothers would be back with a vengeance, and coach Rothana Baira would be a significant driver of such an endeavour.

“Two years in a row of making it to the grand final and not getting the results I think is a big drive,” Hoepper said.

“I know Rothana’s a competitive coach.

“I think what she’s done with trying to push and keep the female game alive, with her representation at Brothers, I think she really stands for female rugby league.

“I know she’ll do everything she can in her power to keep going, and wherever she can help out she’ll definitely put her hand up.

“For the last three weeks they’ve been travelling back and forth in Mackay.

“It takes a toll on the body and I guess with all the challenges of this year and trying to form a team and get numbers, for them to make the grand final was a big credit.”

Hoepper’s Gold Stars teammates Lyrech Mara and Courtney Reynolds proved instrumental in guiding Brothers to the grand final.

The pair are yet to make their QRLW debuts, given the inaugural season was cancelled after one round due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But their form impressed Hoepper from afar, as did their work ethic off the field when she interacted with the team throughout the season, and she believes higher honours are not far away for the dynamic forwards.

The women’s State of Origin legend had to resist the urge consistently to put the boots on and run out with the Townsville outfit, but said her back injury had healed to the point where she would be ready for a pair of title pushes next year – for the Gold Stars and Brothers.

“Of course, when you watch from the outside you always are itching a bit to get on the field,” Hoepper said.

“But I’ve also enjoyed watching from the outside – you learn a lot too when you watch from the outside.”