You could say that rising young Easts Tigers star Jessikah Reeves is a bundle of contradictions.
She describes herself as being both a bit of a joker, as well as being quite shy.
On the field, she is known as a tough forward who won’t back away from big hits; but off the field, she works as a beauty technician specialising in lashes and nails where attention to detail and a delicate touch are essential.
A Brothers St Brendan’s junior who now plays in their senior women’s team for the Tigers, it was her father who spotted her talent early and he backed her to play, even though she wasn’t so sure herself.
“My dad brought me to my brother’s training when I was six, so I kept training with him, I was pretty good at it and I was smashing all the boys, so dad signed me up and put me in a jersey,” Reeves said.
“But I didn’t know where I was going – I went to training one night and he said you are playing this weekend, and I said, ‘no, I don’t want to play’, but (I did and) that’s how I got started.
“(Mostly) I play second row / lock; but when I started I played prop.
“My dad (has been the biggest influence in my career so far), he chucked me in a jersey and said 'go out there'.
“He always watches my games and always has something for me to work on.”
Last year, Reeves was one of the young players (including China Polata and Lyllian Mikaio) selected to join the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team’s development squad, where she picked up tips from the senior squad members and got to know the star players.
“I was in the Broncos squad in development, it was a good experience,” Reeves said.
“Everything, we were part of everything they did.
“It was a really good experience to be part of the Broncos squad training and focusing on my fitness more.”
The 2019 season also saw her become a part of history when she ran out with the Queensland Under 18 team that played at North Sydney Oval; the first time the states have met in a female interstate challenge for this age group.
While the junior Maroons lost the match, Reeves said it was great to be part of the event.
“The Under 18 game last year – the experience – just to be part of the first Under 18 Origin side was good, exciting,” Reeves said.
“The feeling to run out before the women’s game gave me an insight on what I could do. The game is growing a lot.
“I was nervous – everyone gets nervous – but once you get in the zone, we can play.”
After the match, coach Ben Jeffries encouraged the players, who were understandably upset about their loss, to focus on their next steps and on improving.
“BJ he told us to work harder on what we want and to stay focused,” Reeves said.
Reeves, who has since impressed good judges of the game with her hard work on the field, has been selected to be part of the Queensland Female Performance Program senior squad and has a number of goals in place for the upcoming season.
Her main goal this year however is to make her mark for her club and play in the upcoming QRL Women’s Premiership which kicks off in early March.
“It’s exciting, I’ll be pushing to be part of that team. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but should be fun,” Reeves said.
“My goal is for Easts to win a grand final and my personal goal is to improve.”
