She’s won a Rugby League World Cup with the Australian Jillaroos, and signed with the Brisbane Broncos in the inaugural NRL Women’s Premiership.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But for Caitlin Moran, nothing compares to the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.
The star halfback is devastated she won’t be part of the on-field action in the 48th Koori Knockout; she has only just been cleared to run again after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament earlier this year.
She won’t be the only star missing from the field, as a host of Indigenous Australia’s best prepare for Sunday’s Women’s Premiership decider.
ALSO MAKING NEWS
- CRICKET: Get ready for a scorching-hot summer of action in Dubbo
- ‘She’s a natural’: Lundholm lauds young hoop as Dubbo trainer eyes advantage
- The City of Dubbo Turf Club wants tradies to hang up their tool belt early, put on a suit and enjoy some punting
- Warriors link with Greg Inglis to add huge star attraction at 2018 Koori Knockout
But Moran said that only made the women’s side of the Knockout competition harder to predict.
“With the NRL Women’s going on, a lot of the higher names aren’t playing and some are injured as well,” Moran said.
“It’s going to be interesting to see, because there’s a lot of talent out there … now this year a lot of the [big name] girls are out, they get to showcase their talent as well and what they can do and the football they can play.
“That’s what I’m excited to see, is the talent that we don’t know is out there … they get to make a name for themselves now.”
The men’s competition is also proving too close to call, with Newcastle Yowies president Warren Schillings predicting the 2018 Knockout would be one of the strongest in history.
With Greg Inglis’ Wall Street Warriors already knocked out, and Kempsey Dunghutti Bloodlines (NSW Origin centre James Roberts and Coonamble product Jesse Ramien) Castlereagh All Blacks (South Sydney Rabbitoh Braidon Burns), Redfern All Blacks, Newcastle All Blacks and 2017 winners the Newcastle Yowies all still in the mix, Schillings said this year’s favourites were too many to name.
“It’s going to be very strong this year because a lot of teams have combined and pulled together so it’s going to be really interesting.”
Moran said the atmosphere around the Koori Knockout was one-of-a-kind.
“I love playing for my country and NSW and I love playing football, but the hardest thing for me to miss out this year, it’s the Knockout,” she said.
“It’s different football, you pay harder, there’s passion, there’s culture and just having all your family here literally watching you play and cheering you on – it’s a different feeling.”
The Knockout continues with round two of the men’s games from 9.10am on Sunday.
