Souths Logan Magpies: BMD Premiership gains and losses for 2023

Author: Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer
Timestamp: Fri 10 Mar 2023, 08:02 AM

Shellie Long never really viewed herself as a leader until she went to the Rugby League World Cup with the PNG Orchids.

Now, as she prepares for her 2023 BMD Premiership season, she is ready to bring her newfound leadership skills to the Souths Logan Magpies.

The law and criminology/criminal justice university student, and part-time banker, joined Souths Logan from the Brisbane Tigers this season in a bid to play closer to home.

She had heard promising things about the club from other players and knew it was the right place for her.

“I was talking to some of the girls who currently play there and they said it had a really good club culture,” Long said.

“My first impressions are that it’s a really great and supportive club. We have a lot of mums in the team as well so it’s great to see a team help each other out with the kids and other off field stuff as well.

“Pre-season has been going really good. I’m still doing a return to run program after World Cup just to get my legs in a really good position for this season… I’ve had a really long history of shin splints and after last season and the load I had, my legs weren’t feeling the best so I want to have a really good season and prepare properly.”

Despite spending most of the pre-season in rehab, Long has already started to find her feet among the squad, including as a leader.

The 22-year-old is still young but after her World Cup experience she is starting to gain more confidence.

“It was an amazing experience to be able to represent my culture and go overseas and play the sport,” she said.

“I would probably have to say the biggest thing I took away was being a leader in the Orchids side and just growing my knowledge around the game and bringing that into BMD.

“I’ve never really been like a leader but just more someone who loves learning. I would take everything in and do what I needed to do to help out other people. I wasn’t a leader but just someone who helps others.

“But the World Cup has helped me come into a new team and be more vocal instead of sitting back and coasting behind others. I’m able to express what I think or feel.

“I would say I’m both (a leader with words and actions). If I say something, I have to back up my words with my actions. If I’m telling the girls to focus on one percenters, get things right, I have to be able to do it too.”

As she continues her return to running, Long will miss this weekend’s season opener against the Brisbane Tigers but is eyeing off a comeback in Round 3 against the Central Queensland Capras.

Another high-profile signing for the club, Destiny Brill, will also miss Round 1 through suspension but April Ngatupuna, Jodeci Nichols and Kiia Parata will all line up for Souths Logan for the first time.

As she balances football with work and study, Long is a busy woman but still has high goals for her 2023 season and where she can go with the Magpies.

Long playing for the PNG Orchids. Photo: NRL Imagery

“My goals are to debut for Souths and building really great friendships at Souths to last outside of footy,” she said.

“And also obviously the possibility to debut for the NRLW.”

Souths Logan Magpies 2023 gains and losses

Gains

Heather Ario, Renez Bates, Destiny Brill, Lavinia Gould, Shanae Gray, Lavinia Kitai, Jonny Lavender, Shellie Long, Kalisi Longopoa, April Ngatupuna, Jodeci Nichols, Crystal Papalii, Kiia Parata, Chantay Ratu, Nive Taulanga, Ruth Tietie, Luisa Vaa, Georgia Wilson