Written by Saavanah Bourke for Tweed Seagulls Media
The Gold Coast Airport women’s Tweed Seagulls will have a big boost for Round 3 of the BMD Premiership, with more than half a dozen NRLW players set to return for Saturday’s clash with the Burleigh Bears.
Titans Georgia Hale, Karli Hansen, Zara Canfield and Bronco Kaitlyn Phillips are just a handful of stars bolstering the pack.
Head coach Spencer Taplin says the timing couldn’t have been better.
“Last weekend’s loss to the Tigers was a good lesson for the girls,” he said.
“If we can ignite our combinations with youth and experience then it’s going to put us in a really good position to win the game.”
The only downfall, the Seagulls will be without skipper Rona Peters and try scoring sensation Brooke Saddler.
“Brooke is unwell at the moment and Rona received a one match ban from the judiciary after last round.”
The reigning premiers are the competition’s benchmark and will have their own NRLW strike weapons back on the paddock too.
“They (Bears) are the team to beat.
“There is no expectation on us, the pressure is on them, we just have to go out there and do our job.”
But that’s easier said than done, the Seagulls have spent more than 10 weeks without the NRLW girls, and Tweed will have just two training sessions before the game to pull it together.
“I shouldn’t need to spend too much time on the footy.
“It’s going to be all about them understanding our culture and the standards we have here at Tweed.
“I expect them to add to that and buy into it.”
He’ll be relying on his spine, in particular hooker Lailee Phillips, to stand up and lead the Seagulls to their second victory.
“She’s a very quiet girl but has really stood up while our other key players have been away.
“If our spine can get their combinations right, I think we will do really well.”
Kick off from Pizzey Park is at 12.45pm on Saturday.
The game can be streamed live through QPlus TV.
Team List
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Bridget Hoy
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Faith Tutauha
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Paremo Gallagher
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Atlanta Peters
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Isabella Lee
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Alani Sullivan
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Jada Ferguson
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Carly McGrath
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Lailee Phillips
- Rona Peters
- Zara Canfield
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Kaitlyn Phillips
- Georgia Hale
- Jelena Betham
- Karli Hansen
- Serena Martin
- Matekino Kahukoti-Gray
- Chelsea Apps
Coach: Spencer Taplin
Game Info
Round 3 v Burleigh Bears
Saturday 9th April @ Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 12:45pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)