Get to know your Queensland Women’s team:
Bundaberg's Kady Tinker and Beerwah's Annette Brander are two of a number of players on debut for Queensland in tomorrow’s Women’s Interstate Challenge match against New South Wales.
Get to know a bit about them before they take to the field at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, July 19) at 3.30pm.
You can watch a live stream of the game via the QRL website: http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html
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Name: Kady Tinker
Club: Bundaberg Brothers
Playing: 4 years
Position: Fullback/Wing
Coming from Bundaberg to play for Queensland, Kady Tinker will make her state representative debut this weekend taking on New South Wales at Leichhardt Oval. Although she's been playing for four years, including stints as Brisbane and District Women’s Rugby League premiers Souths Logan, the step up in professionalism at this level has Kady rapt.
“I was just amazed how professional and organised everything is. This camp is being taken seriously and so are the results.”
Women's rugby league is the fastest growing development area in Queensland Rugby League and the role of women like Kady and the rest of the team in promoting that was acknowledged by QRL Chairman Peter Betros who greeted the team on Day 1 of camp.
Kady nominated her Central Queensland team mate Renae Kunst as the player she looks to on the field.
“Her work ethic out there is amazing and she stays positive no matter what happens. That's something I aspire to be.”
Kady is also pleased to be joined by Queensland and Australian representative veteran Karyn Murphy.
“I got to play with her at Souths Logan, but to play with her at this level will be amazing. She is the ultimate professional in her approach to the game and I'm going to use this opportunity to learn as much as I can from her.”
Having been selected from the Women's State Carnival last month, Kady is looking forward to the game in Sydney.
“I don't really know what to expect, I don't know any of the other team, but that can be a good thing. I'll just focus on what I have to do – be switched on and get the ball early and run hard.”
Playing for Queensland is an honour few people have and hopefully Kady will have some special memories of her first state game.
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Name: Annette Brander
Club: Beerwah
Playing: 4 years
Position: Second row/Centre
Annette has stormed into women's rugby league this year in the back of three previous seasons of hard work. A solid background in school girls and Under 18s league competitions has given Annette a good grounding and understanding of the game.
Normally at home in the second row at her Beerwah club, Annette will feature in the Queensland centres for her state debut. But don't expect too many nerves from this debutant – she featured in the All Stars team earlier this year that proved too good for the Indigenous All Stars team 24-0 earlier this year.
“I normally play second row, but I'm not nearly as big as some of the girls picked to play there in this team. So I'm happy with centre."
Annette nominates her former Sunshine Coast and All Stars team mate Stephanie Hancock as the player she would most like to emulate. "She is a great role model with her sportsmanship on and off the field. When I was new to playing she went out of her way to look out for me and make sure I knew what I had to do. But she's also a great competitor and formidable to play against."
Unlike some of the other Queensland debutants, Annette knows a little bit about the NSW players she will come up against.
“I got to meet and play with and against some of them during the All Stars game. I know how good they are, I know they'll be tough and hit hard – I’ve been on the receiving end."
While Annette is very proud to be representing Queensland for the first time, she is taking a workman-like approach to the game to ensure that nerves don't play a part.
“The key is to not over think the game, it's just a matter of making sure I get in there and have a run because I know what I can do out there.”
