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With pride on the line and their backs against the wall, Destiny Brill returns to the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons team determined to help her side avoid a whitewash series loss.
After coming from the bench in the series opener, a reshuffle to accommodate the inclusion of experienced forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi saw the versatile middle lose her place in the line up in Game Two.
With injuries striking and a need to bolster the defence, especially through the middle of the field, coach Tahnee Norris has called on Brill being to start as hooker for the final game in Newcastle.
“I was pretty excited being called back into the team it’s always an honour, and it’s something I don’t take for granted,” Brill.
“The vibe in camp is really positive and focused. Everyone’s brought great energy, and there’s a strong sense of purpose among the group.
“We know what’s at stake, and the girls are definitely determined to finish on a high.
“There’s a real drive to put in a performance we can be proud of and to give everything for each other out on the field.
“Tahnee’s been really clear with me about my role, and I’m just focused on doing whatever the team needs.
“Starting at hooker, there’s definitely a balance between tightening up the middle defensively and helping create momentum in attack.
“It’s about bringing energy, controlling the ruck, and making sure we’re building pressure where we can.”
The overarching theme of the series so far has been the dominance of the Blues forwards who once they have been able to earn their side momentum, have never given up their advantage.
Will her call up back into the side, Brill was hoping to play her part in shifting it back in favour of Queensland.
“The Blues pack has definitely been strong, so for us, it’s about matching that physicality early in the game and staying connected through the middle,” Brill said.
“We need to win the ruck, slow down their momentum, and make sure we’re sticking to our defensive systems.
“It’s going to take a team effort. everyone working together, turning up for each other, and being really disciplined in the contest.
“If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves a good platform to build from.”
Playmaker Lauren Brown, who had been playing in the dummy half role for the first two game before being named as halfback for this game, said she was looking forward to linking with Brill.
“She's an incredible hooker and I think her versatility, she could play any position in the middle there,” Brown said.
“I think that's a huge strength of Des, but her defence, I think she'll really bring that because not having Keils there, where Keils does a lot of work there in the middle.
“Des will look to step up especially defensively and bring some of that mongrel that Keilee has.
“I think she's got really good service out of dummy half, she's got a good pass on her, and she's been there before and in Origin, so she knows what it's like.
“She'll be nice and calm there in that 9 role, which will help start our tackles off.”
Match: Blues Women v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues Women
away Team
Maroons
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
