SUNDAY, March 19 has been marked in Bomaderry’s Talia Atfield’s diary for close to six months.
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Atfield will line up with the St George Illawarra Dragons women’s rugby league team, when they take on rivals, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
“Obviously last match was the first time this concept has happened and I think everyone got a little caught up in the moment and atmosphere,” Atfield said.
“But ever since then, I have wanted to get back out and help the Dragons reverse the result and defeat the Sharks.”
This will be on of three games Atfield and the Dragons play this season, with matches lined up against Canberra at WIN Stadium and South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
“It’s great that we have three matches organised this year and it speaks volumes to the growth of the game,” Atfield said.
“I know there has been a lot of girls come across from other sports, such as rugby union, just to be involved – which is great.”
Atfield hopes Sunday’s match, which is a curtain-raiser for the NRL match – kicking off at 5.15pm, is another stepping stone for her one day becoming a Jillaroo.
“I will first look to make the country origin side and then hopefully make the NSW for State of Origin – which would put me on the right path for the Jillaroos,” she said.
Dragons squad: Alicia Hawke (Corrimal), Rebecca Dunning (Windang), Erin Buckingham (Batemans Bay), Brittany Constable (Berkeley), Ashley Swan-Hayles (Berkeley), Bree Moreton (Batemans Bay), Talia Atfield (Bomaderry), Jasmine Sarin (Helensburgh), Jewelle Jack (Berkeley), Erin Blackwell (Helensburgh), Jade Etherden (Corrimal), Rhiannon Findlay (Corrimal), Courtney Crawford (Berkeley), Tammy Fletcher (Corrimal) and Aymie Hill (Corrimal).