It's been a frustrating start to the 2021 NRLW season for Corban Baxter, but there's no better way for the Roosters' Captain to announce herself than by leading the side onto the SCG on Saturday.
While illness prevented the Jillaroos, State of Origin and Māori All Stars representative from taking the field in the first two matches of the season, the Round 3 double header against the Newcastle Knights will be the first time we get to see Corban Baxter for 2021.
Needless to say, she is brimming with excitement at the thought of putting on the famous Tricolours once again.
“I’m pumped and I’m feeling good,” Baxter confirmed.
“I’ve been thrown around different positions over the years, but I’ve always loved playing fullback. I think the way we play as a team will suit my style, so I’m excited to get around the ball and be as involved as possible.
“It’s been a little while since I’ve been there so it should be interesting, but I’m excited about the challenge. It’s going to be good.
It hasn’t been spoken about a whole lot but I think everyone knows it’s a really big occasion. We’ve got our captain’s run tomorrow and I think that’s when it will sink in, the opportunity to play at such a historic venue for the Club.
Corban Baxter On playing at the SCG
“Obviously with covid the last couple of weeks it was a battle trying to get onto the field, but I’m pumped to play. The girls have been good, we had training yesterday and our energy is high.
“It’s been a bit tough coming off two losses but we’re staying positive and we have our eyes on the job and are keen to get out there this weekend.”
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Baxter's troops are well aware of the occasion ahead of them on Saturday afternoon - the first time the Club's NRL and NRLW sides take the field together on the same day, and the first time in nearly 300 days that a Roosters outfit will step on the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground turf.
“It’s a big occasion this weekend,” she said.
“The NRLW being able to play before the NRL in itself is exciting, I know the girls thrive off that alone.
“It’s super exciting for us to play on the same day and the same field as our male counterparts, the girls are stoked for that. Being able to play at home for the first time for a very long time is a special occasion.
“It hasn’t been spoken about a whole lot but I think everyone knows. We’ve got our captain’s run tomorrow and I think that’s when it will sink in, the opportunity to play at such a historic venue for the Club.
“It will be a focus, having that awesome opportunity we have to play there. We’re pumped for it.”
While the opportunity to create history beckons, the skipper knows that the Tricolours can't get carried away in the occasion as they look to claim their first win of the 2021 season following two narrow defeats.
But Baxter is confident that her young, eager squad is more than ready to take on new opponents in the Newcastle Knights - who will hungry to claim their first victory in the NRLW.
“They have a really strong middle pack,” Baxter said of the Knights.
“They were very impressive last week against the Broncos, they got down the field well and rolled through the middle so we’re going to have to muscle up there.
“The girls have always been open to learning. We’ve got a lot of fresh girls who haven’t played at this level and their eagerness to learn under Strangey (Head Coach John Strange) has been really impressive.
“You can see it transferring from training onto the field, and while there’s still a while to go, there’s that resilience coming up against two solid teams to start off with. Seeing them in training and being eager to learn has been really impressive as well.
“I’m confident our girls are up for the challenge, they’re going to be strong and powerful but we’ve got to be switched on and play smart to combat that.”
