Talented duo earn Country call-up

SOMETHING happens during Theophelia Mosby-nona’s interchange break which sparks a complete turnaround.

As strong as her first stint may be, 2021 Blackhawks under-19s coach Peter Edmonds sees her reach a whole new level when she next takes the field. Mosby-nona will be one of two Townsville products to line up for the Queensland Country under-17s side to take on Queensland City on October 4.

The teenage forward will be joined by emerging prospect Anna-mina Bin Awel.

It took until the final three games of the inaugural under-19 girls competition for Mosby-nona to come under Edmonds’ tutelage, after she moved to Cowboys House from Far North Queensland.

Edmonds said the drive in Mosby-nona was noticeable as soon as she entered the Blackhawks fold. But it was the way in which she absorbed rugby league knowledge that had her on a collision course with higher honours.

“Her second stints on the field for us were her most damaging. I think she was taking notice of what was going on and how the game was playing out,” he said.

“She was then able to utilise her assets after watching from the sidelines. She’s a very powerful runner and a very aggressive defender. She’s still only young and raw but the aggression she plays with is her biggest asset.”

While Edmonds said the Blackhawks group had evolved dramatically as the competition progressed, there were more exciting signs for 2022.

After the Kirwan Grizzlies went down swinging in the Karyn Murphy Cup grand final, he said the crop of talent coming through the ranks should have Townsville on tenterhooks for what is to come in women’s rugby league.