GUNNEDAH’S Jess Baker believes that the Greater Northern Tigers girls are more than contenders to take out the first ever League Tag Country Championships, as they head to Dubbo this weekend to play in an elimination semi-final.
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The girls gave Newcastle a touch up a fortnight ago, but are expecting a much tougher outing against Central Coast at Apex Park.
Baker could only watch the game against Newcastle from the sideline after being named as 16th player, although will certainly get some game time in the semi-final, as coach Mick Schmiedel has a tough job on his hands picking the run on side and bench from a very talented pool of players from Groups 4, 19, and 21.
The Greater Northern region was the first to pick up the ladies game, that has breathed fresh life back into country rugby league, with the Tigers boasting some 25 league tag sides across the three groups.
Baker said that while many of the Newcastle girls were oztag or touch players, it is a completely different game, especially at this level where it is played a frantic pace.
“League is league - you have to understand the game and the rules,” Baker said.
“It was a good team win against Newcastle but not a hard game.”
The Central Coast’s win over Riverina that same weekend was a lot more structured according to the Gunnedah playmaker.
The two sides were tipped to be favourites when the championships commenced.
“I always thought we could go real far in this competition,” Baker said.
“We have a really solid team and they all get along well.”
“Most of the girls are playmakers in their individual club teams so it gives us a lot of options and ball skills right through the side.”
Schmiedel has had the girls together only a handful of times, although has produced a playbook that every player has had to learn.
“It is getting pretty serious when Mick is handing out playbooks,” Baker said.
“We have got a few crosses and block plays and things like that that help when we don’t play together every week.”
In the game against Newcastle Abby Schmiedel starred with four tries, while Scone’s Sofie Casson and Maddy Adams gave good direction and Diggers Aimee Diebold was dynamic at fullback.
The girls will play Central Coast at 9am, with the Greater Southern Stars and East Coast Dolphins clashing in the other semifinal at 10am, followed by the Greater Northern Tigers men playing in the Tier 2 semifinal against the Greater Southern side at 11am.
