The WA Women’s League Tag side had one last crack at a NSW Team, this time in a full game, and it was the highly fancied Canberra Raiders team, who had gotten the better of us in both shortened games the day before hand.
While some of the ladies had some fun the night before on our last night in sydney, they were still keen to win this tour game, with lots of pride on the line for our great state. With a team walk done, and our bags packed we headed down to St Marys Leagues Stadium for the final time.
With the team gearing up, the weather soared leading to what was going to be a very hot contest, and both coaches looking for shorter warm up times. But it was a fun atmosphere with both teams and staff throwing around jokes and even the referees getting involved. The NRL WA Match Balls were in hot demand with referees and players from the Canberra team all wanting a piece of the action.
With the toss going the way of the Canberra side, they chose to receive the ball first and the message from Coach Terrell was to build into the game, but defend hard. We had seen them twice now and knew what to expect from their free flowing style of game.
But talking about it is easier than putting it into action. And the heat played a massive part. With Sinead Loundes at the back saving multiple forays into the WA territory by Canberra, and Lauryn Stephens, Grace Smith and Sandy Tau coming up with some massive tags, we started on the back foot. And the Raiders took advantage scoring two quickfire tries to lead 10-0 and take that into the halftime sheds.
We needed to be first to score in the second half, but again mistakes hurt the ladies, and we found ourselves a further score down, when the raiders went on a long range left side raid, and you could be forgiven for thinking the ladies from the West would give up. With the score 14-0 to the Raiders, the game seemed lost.
But the WA girls wouldn’t go quietly into the night. And continued to fight hard, with captain Michaela Turner-Wallace urging the troops along. And then it happened. A bit of magic from player of the match Beth Norton, saw her dribble a beautiful kick through, regather and beat the cover defence to score a try, and kick the conversion to get the WA girls back in with a sniff.
And when Lauryn Stephens scored a beautiful team try to make it 14-10, well the question was could the WA team make a miraculous come back, in hot conditions? We had been a better second half team all weekend, and was this our time?
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, with Canberra scoring another long ranger with their speed and ball movement being incredibly impressive, they hung on to win the contest 18-10 and in a deserved fasion. Very humble winners, when the full time whistle sounded, both teams huddled up in a massive show of solidarity for a great finish to a wonderful weekend.
And that’s all she wrote. While other things happened between then and the girls returning home, this is all I will share. The ladies created some ever lasting bonds on an amazing trip, played some amazing rugby league tag and showed the rest of those in attendance that they could match it with the best of the best.
Thank you to all the players and staff on tour. What a memorable tour it was.
And whats next for the WA Women’s League Tag side? Well Canberra are hosting their regional championships in June 2026…. we think its time to take them on at their patch and show them what we can do once more.
