Shelley Darcy excelled in her first State of Origin Touch Football experience but after being named player of the series she put all the praise on a Dubbo teammate.
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Darcy starred for the NSW women's 40s side at Coffs Harbour last week, helping the Blues to an overall series win over Queensland.
Darcy's efforts in the 2-1 series win were recognised with the player of the tournament prize but she said it was teammate Nic Grose who deserved credit for not only the success of the Blues, but also her own.
"It was an amazing experience I hope I can live again," Darcy said of Origin.
"Nic is the one who deserves lots of lots of praise because she's a born leader and a touch superstar.
"I was really, really shocked because the quality of the players within our team, everyone did their job so well. It made everything work and there was no egos and there was standouts but they made sure the structure of the team worked."
Darcy is a relative newcomer to the touch football representative scene but after being part of the past two National Touch League competitions she stepped up to test herself in the Origin arena.
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She described the series as unlike anything she'd been a part of and sharing the experience with Grose, the NSW vice-captain, just made it that more special.
"She's the reason I play touch and the reason I got into the rep side of it," she said.
"She's amazing. She's just this calm presence that knows exactly what she's doing. When you're out there with her she's such a genuine leader and she leads by example.
"Having her next to me was pretty cool."
The success of Darcy and Grose was just part of another hugely successful representative tournament for Dubbo.
Australian representative Madi Grose was part of the Mixed Opens and scored a try in her all-important third match against Queensland to help the Blues win while Hemi McGarvey was part of the triumphant Men's 60s side.
"It was next level," Darcy said of the entire carnival.
"The environment and atmosphere around State of Origin. The rivalry, it really came through, and that might sound silly to say as a 42-year-old.
We were there for each other from the start. It's the beauty of team sport and a team sport when you're a little older.
- Shelley Darcy
"The rivalry was genuine but because we are a bit older, as soon as the game was over the sportsmanship was amazing and friendships I formed, I didn't expect that.
"It was next level touch and next level fun and the quality around you lifts, it was a surreal atmosphere."
In the women's 40s series, NSW made a perfect start as it scored a 3-0 win in the opening game.
Series success was secured early as the Blues won 5-3 in the second game before Queensland salvaged some pride and won the final match 2-1.
"That first game we did come out switched on and I don't think we switched off in the last game, not at all, but Queensland really lifted," Darcy said.
"We definitely dominated the first two games. Our line defence was probably the best I've ever seen and the talk and commitment, we weren't letting them get any easy tries.
"We were there for each other from the start. It's the beauty of team sport and a team sport when you're a little older. You know without the team, there is no glory."
Crowe's Mixed Opens were taken to a decider after they won the first match 11-7 before the Maroons hit back with a 12-9 win.
NSW got the job done in a big way in the decider, running out 9-4 victors.
McGarvey and the men's 60s two gripping matches first-up, scoring 3-2 and 4-3 victories, before Queensland won the final game 3-1.
NSW won 11 of the 17 series on offer overall to retain the Origin silverware.
Darcy hailed the weekend as another huge success for Dubbo Touch and added she was certain there was more highlights on the horizon as a "core group" in the club is now focusing on junior development.
"Which is so good because it will filter through and we'll now become competitive at that higher level across all age groups.
"They're bringing back all the knowledge and moving forward with touch as its moving forward. They've been gamechangers ands it's reflected in the success Dubbo Touch has."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
