Despite not being on the field when the clock wound down on a dominant Indigenous All Stars win, Jaime Chapman should have been content in the knowledge she had helped set up the big win.
Chapman was subbed off with three minutes left with coaches determining she had played her part in a 26-4 victory, but the flying centre was disappointed to not be able to improve on her efforts until the final siren.
"It was three minutes to go and I wanted to finish off the game on a high and I had made a couple mistakes, so I was ready to go out there and try and make up for those mistakes," Chapman said.
“So when I got taken off, I was obviously a bit upset, but … Jassy [Jasmine] Peters went on there and had a blinder for the rest of the game, so I am very proud of her.
Jamie Chapman's exquisite double
"I think all the girls would have loved to be there at the end.
"When we play a game like this, everyone wants to be on the field and for as many minutes as they can and work as hard as they can for each other.
"So, I think that's what I wanted to do."
In her 57 minutes on the paddock Chapman created plenty of moments for the highlight reel, including going in for a try in each half, running for 214 metres and busting seven tackles.
Indigenous All Stars v Māori Ferns
“I saw the space and I tried to go as far as I could," Chapman said of her spectacular 70-metre effort in the second half.
"I saw Corbes [Corban Baxter] diving at my legs and she's good at that, so I just thought, ‘I'll just jump'.
“But I practice when my dogs come to training with me and they run underneath my feet, so I've been doing a lot of hurdles in pre-season."
Always looking to develop on the field, this year’s All Stars camp was also an opportunity to grow off the field for Chapman, with cultural immersion a big part of coach Jess Skinner’s program.
“This camp is definitely one of the best up here in Townsville; this time we had no COVID restrictions and we got around the community, went to some gala days, watched all the young jarjums coming through and they've got so much talent up here,” Chapman said.
“All Stars is more than just a game and it my favourite game of the year.
“I always give it my best and it’s a good first game of the year to start off the footy season.
“I look forward to it every year and (as well as) going around to community and seeing all the young kids coming through.
"We had some Aunties come in and speak to us and some of their words were so powerful and it’s something that I'll take home with me and I'll hold them strong in my heart.
“I'm very happy to experience that with all of our girls and all their Aunties as well.”
