Grizzlies aim to fly high in Murphy Cup
A TEAM bonding camp could be the catalyst behind a strong showing from Kirwan High in the Karyn Murphy Cup finals.
The Kirwan Grizzlies have an opportunity to deliver the proud rugby league nursery a third straight state title, but this time in the women’s competition.
They will enter the finals series, which will be played at Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe on Wednesday, as the underdogs against southern rivals Keebra Park State High, Ipswich State High and Bundaberg’s Shalom College.
The finals series will include a round-robin over
three rounds before the top two sides advance to the final, which will be played before the Phil Hall Cup final between Palm Beach Currumbin and St Brendan’s, Yeppoon.
All the Karyn Murphy Cup games will be live-streamed by the Townsville Bulletin.
While they might be underdogs in the tournament, Grizzlies skipper Niquita Peters believes the connection within the squad, which was forged in moments of disappointment earlier this year, will provide an extra edge.
“A lot of the girls work really hard for each other and everyone knows where they need to be,” Peters said.
“We had a few upsets at
the start of the season, but we all came together at a camp and worked hard for each other.
“We have been involved in Karyn Murphy for three years now. Every time we go down it is a big competition.
“Their work rate down there is very high. It is always good to go down there and give them a fair go.”
Peters will be a crucial cog for the Grizzlies playing in the halves and linking up with express fullback Brandy Yallop.
However, one player coach Hannah Norford said rival sides would need to keep an eye on was steamrolling front-rower Theophelia Mosby-nona.
She shares the bloodlines of
some top North Queensland stars, including breakout Maroons centre Hamiso TabuaiFidow, and Mosby-nona will be a handful in the Cup.
“We have quite a lot of girls who are playing in a higher level locally (in the Blackhawks under-19s),” Norford said. “Hopefully they will be a bit of a standout.
“Theo is one of our stronger forwards. She has a lot of talent and potential.
“We are excited to have this competition because there has not been too much girls rugby league at the moment in terms of locally and in our region.
“It is a good opportunity for these girls to have that exposure at a higher level.
“The girls are looking forward to the challenge, but it is really going to be a challenge.
“We aren’t used to that level of competition. It is the first we have had at this level for the year.
“The confidence will grow throughout the finals.
“We will just try and give it everything we have. Hopefully all the girls can chip in and be there for one another and just learn from the experience.
“That is the game plan. Give them that exposure and to walk away learning something about themselves as players and people, too.”
Kirwan’s first game for the finals will be against Shalom College at 9.30am.