A new NRLW season means another chance for Hannah Southwell to don the famous Tricolours, but more importantly for the hard-hitting forward, another chance to bring the Club its maiden Premiership.
Now in her third season in the Red, White and Blue, Southwell’s passion for the Club is certainly something to be admired, highlighted by her burning desire to bring success to Bondi in the NRLW, inspired by recently retired NRL captain Boyd Cordner.
“I’m very excited for the season,” she said.
“To be honest as soon as I heard Boyd Cordner say the highlight of his career was to be a Rooster, I started crying. The way Boyd feels about the Roosters is exactly how I feel.
“The Club is just so phenomenal; the people around it, the men’s team really get around us and it’s a quality group of people.
“It feels like an extended family here, I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. I want to win a Premiership with this Club, that is my full intention. I can’t wait.”
Dally M NRLW Tackle of the Year | Hannah Southwell
Currently playing for the undefeated Central Coast Roosters in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, Southwell gave high praise to Head Coach John Strange – who will be taking over the mantle at NRLW for the first time this season – as a catalyst for the side’s success.
“A lot of our Central Coast Roosters players will be part of the squad," she said.
"That’s very exciting in itself and a credit to Strangey as well as the talent he has helped develop. He is without a doubt the best coach I have ever had in any sport.
"That’s a big call considering I’ve played a few sports, but he is just phenomenal. He just knows footy, he’s a footy head and knows how to bring a team together.
“There are no problems and there are no worries at the Central Coast Roosters, and I’m sure he’ll bring that professionalism to the Roosters NRLW side as well.
“We’ve got a couple of Tarsha Gale Cup players coming through and the talent from there is phenomenal. I’m looking forward to seeing who comes through into the squad and who Strangey brings into the squad, and I have full faith that he will pick not only the best players but the best people.
“I’m really keen to be playing alongside a number of my mates.”
It feels like an extended family here, I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. I want to win a Premiership with this Club, that is my full intention. I can’t wait.
Hannah Southwell On playing for the Roosters
The 22-year-old also credited the rapid development and expansion of the Women’s game as a major boon for Rugby League, and is eager to test herself against new competition in the now six-team format.
“I can’t wait to see how the competition pans out,” she beamed.
“It’s never too early when you’re trying to expand the game so I’m very keen to see how the teams go.
It’s sad that the Warriors couldn’t participate, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the other clubs bring to the table with their different dynamics and the different teams.”
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