A revamped Gunnedah Red Devils women’s outfit is ready to hit the ground running this Saturday, as the Red Devils oppose the Quirindi Lions at Quirindi Rugby Club in round one of the Central North Rugby Union (CNRU) competition.
Big changes are expected for both teams, after Gunnedah finished third while Quirindi finished at the foot of the seven-team ladder last year.
The Red Devils are set to field at least five newcomers this Saturday, following the off-season departures of Jean Littlewood, Lucy Walker (aka Lucy Coon), Lupe Mikaele, Simone Lickorish and Layne Scheithe.
Madisan Rogers has retained the captaincy while other familiar players include Susie Pym, Elsie Hunt, Abby Nortrup, Sarah Cavanagh, Malia Mikaele, Jordan Mitchell, Kate O’Donnell and Laura Higgins.
The Gunnedah outfit had a win and a loss during the recent ‘Tamworth Test’ pre-season day at the Tamworth Rugby Club (aka ‘The Nest’), with Courtney Jordan among the newcomers to make a fine impression.
Red Devils assistant coach Ash Gough said, “The women have been working hard in the pre-season with various facets of their game improving as a collective, and I can’t wait to see them put all of their hard work on show this Saturday against Quirindi.”
Rogers said a few of the team members would “step it up” this year and “lead the team in a bigger way”.
“We are relying on some of our more experienced players such as Kate O’Donnell and Elsie Hunt to show our newcomers what rugby is all about,” Rogers said.
“We have a bit of fine-tuning to do with our players’ position, but for the most part, everyone knows their role.”
Rogers said the Red Devils were excited to see how the Quirindi team had grown, while the Gunnedah team was “keen to get out on the paddock for a run with the Lions”.
“We played social games against the Quirindi women last year which were great fun, but we are looking forward to seeing what they can do as a more consolidated team,” she said.
