Spirits are high at the Central Queensland Capras at the moment, with the club starting the season well in both the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership competitions.
The women’s side have played two close games, stealing a great victory in Round 1 against West Brisbane Panthers with a try in the 67th minute. They won in an entirely different manner in Round 2, toughing out a grinding victory in a low-scoring affair against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
While happy with the way her side had started the season, coach Amanda Ohl was keen to make sure no one was getting ahead of themselves.
“We have had several close games, but it’s still the start of the season and we are trying to keep the focus on us as a team and to keep improving individually and as a team,” Ohl said.
“We understand it’s still early days and we still have to continue to better our game each week and not get to far ahead of ourselves and just focus on what’s in front of us that week.”
The side, like most in the competition, is still without their NRLW players, including Tamika Upton, but all of the squads have shown great skill in the opening two rounds.
This year, the Capras recruited some outside experience for the season like halfback Pani Rupapere, but the core of the squad has returned from last year and they have all benefited from a season together.
“With the injection to the NRLW players back into our competition, that may change the competition somewhat,” Ohl said.
“Individually, I see the improvement in the girls from week-to-week, not only year-to-year.
“We try to work on different aspects of our individual game at training as we are not able to come together for a whole team training.”
Match: Capras v Magpies
Round 3 -
home Team
Capras
1st Position
away Team
Magpies
8th Position
Venue: Browne Park, Rockhampton
This weekend, they take on Souths Logan Magpies who have been struggling to find their feet, but still have plenty of talented young players in the side that can cause damage.
“At no stage will complacency come into play,” Ohl said of her team’s preparation.
“We won’t be taking South lightly at all. We will prepare for a tough game against Souths much like our trial at the start of the season.
“Even though the score didn’t show it, it was a tough physical game and we are expecting much more of the same from Souths this weekend.”
Top five: BMD Premiership Round 2
In other Round 3 games, the weekend’s action begins with rivals Burleigh Bears hosting Tweed Seagulls in this week's feature game.
Match: Bears v Seagulls
Round 3 -
home Team
Bears
3rd Position
away Team
Seagulls
7th Position
Venue: Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Rona Peters will miss this match after taking an early guilty plea for dangerous contact, so it is a timely boost for the side to see a number of NRLW players re-join the squad.
Gold Coast Titans players Georgia Hale, Zara Canfield and Karli Hansen are named to return alongside Brisbane Broncos pair Kaitlyn Phillips and Jada Ferguson.
You can watch the game at QPlus.tv and on the QRL Facebook page.
After posting a strong win last week, the North Queensland Gold Stars will head to their home in Cairns at Barlow Park to take on Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Match: Stars v WM Seagulls
Round 3 -
home Team
Stars
4th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
5th Position
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns
Newcastle Knights halfback Tahlulah Tillett has been named in the team for the Gold Stars, while Wynnum Manly prop Crystal Papalii – who caused a stir on social media this week due to her big hits – will again start up front for the Seagulls.
The final match in the round will see West Brisbane Panthers at home to the high-flying Brisbane Tigers.
Match: Panthers v Tigers
Round 3 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Tigers
2nd Position
Venue: Frank Lind Oval, Brisbane
The Panthers have been somewhat unlucky to have not yet registered a victory, and went down last weekend to the Burleigh Bears after a slow opening half put them on the back foot.
The Tigers however sit at the top or the table and have been winning in style, and are yet to have a point scored against them this season.
Harvey Norman Under 19 update: The postponed Round 1 Harvey Norman Under 19 round robin match between Norths Devils, Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Tweed Seagulls will instead become a full match, with a number of Norths players combining with Wynnum Manly to form one team, while the other team will see some Burleigh Bears players join with Tweed.
The match will be played as a curtain-raiser to this weekend's NRLW grand final at Moreton Daily Stadium.
QRL Match Review charges results - Round 2 BMD Premiership
