Western will head into the opening round of the 2017 league tag Country Championships without its best player, Darcie Morrison, and also leasing Dubbo CYMS player Rikka Lamb.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But, fortunately for Rams coach Mick Armstrong, he’s been able to replace his star fullback Morrison with Group 10’s next best custodian.
Blayney gun Sophie Stammers comes into the No.1 jumper for Morrison, Armstrong confident the speedy Bears fullback will be up to the task ahead of the girls’ clash with Monaro at Cowra on Saturday.
“She’s probably one of the best players in Group 10, so she’s a handy replacement to bring in for Darcie,” Armstrong said.
After sweeping the Western division trials at Parkes a fortnight ago, Group 10 dominates Armstrong’s side with nine of the 14 places.
Lamb is unavailable this weekend but is expected to be back for round two, meaning CYMS teammate Demi Wilson is the only Dubbo-based player in the side.
She’s a handy replacement to bring in for Darcie
- Mick Armstrong on Sophie Stammers
Given Group 10’s strength, the side defeated Castlereagh League 30-10 in the recent Western final, Armstrong appears in a strong position heading into round one.
“They looked like they’d been playing together for years, but they’d had one session together. It was pretty impressive,” Armstrong said of his Group 10 contingent.
The experienced league tag mentor says his side has learned from its round one exit last year, a quality Southern team getting over the top of Western in 2016.
In a 30-6 win, the Stars were led by a two-try effort from Kezie Apps, a player that later went on to win the 2016 women’s Player of the Year at the NSW Rugby League Brad Fittler awards.
Armstrong says his side must play quicker if its to contend with other regions.
“And we’ve worked on that. Last year we got a bit of an insight as to how other areas play league tag, so we’ve worked on speed and quick play-the-balls,” Armstrong said.
“We don’t know a lot about Monaro, but we haven’t really asked either. We’re more focused on what we’re doing.”
Western takes on Monaro from 11am at Sid Kallas Oval.
WESTERN: 1 Sophie Stammers (Blayney), 2 Heidi Regan (Cargo), 3 Rebecca Ford (Orange Hawks), 4 Claire Woolmington (Bathurst Panthers), 5 Amy Hotham (Bathurst Panthers), 6 Michelle Somers (Bathurst St Pat’s), 7 Jess Hotham (Bathurst Panthers), 8 Demi Wilson (Dubbo CYMS), 9 Ella-J Harris (Orange Hawks), 10 Monique Christie-Johnson (Bathurst Panthers), 11 Emma Gallagher (Dunedoo), 12 Lisa Travis (Cobar), 13 Chrissie West (Lithgow), 14 Lauren Sullivan (Dunedoo).
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
