The Goulburn City Bulldogs women’s team has been placed into the top tier of the competition after it was announced mid July that the Katrina Fanning Shield (KFS) would be split in two halves.
The divide in the competition was due to the significant skill difference between the top half and the bottom half of the competing teams, impacting the Bulldogs women’s team and their progression in the competition.
Bulldogs centre Kiana Williams, 18, is currently playing her fifth year of rugby league for Goulburn and is concerned about her team and its trajectory for the competition in the KFS since the division of the ladder.
“With the competition being split into two tiers, I think we have less of a chance of winning, as each week we are versing tough teams,” Miss Williams said.
“We don’t get the chance to verse an easier team and work on our set plays and game plan as a team.”
The Bulldogs has had some towering wins over several teams this season with their 62-6 win over the Woden Valley Rams this season and the 52-0 win over the Queanbeyan Roos, but both of these wins were prior to the divide of the top and bottom half.
Bulldogs back row Montana Harmer, 18, has been playing rugby league for five years, and recently returned to her Goulburn team after playing in Sydney in 2022, believing that in order for the Bulldogs to improve its position, training needs to be a more essential part of routine.
“If we trained together more as a team and bonded closer, I believe we can improve our position on the ladder by working together,” Miss Harmer said.
“As a team we have bonded together closer at training, as well as getting together after the games at our local sponsor club.”
Whilst having great wins over several teams the Bulldogs have a large challenge ahead of them in preparation for competing against the Yass Magpies who they previously lost 50-0.
Miss Williams and Miss Harmer both agree that losing key players to injuries early in the season and representative football have been key setbacks in improving their position in the KFS.
“Some setbacks the Goulburn City Bulldogs have faced is losing some key players early in the competition with one of our vital key players being selected to play in the NRLW and another couple of players getting injured early on in the season,” Miss Williams said.
“As well as a lot of the girls having prior commitments on training days so not many people are getting to training.”
The Bulldogs have had six wins, one draw and four losses this season and only have three more rounds until the finals.
The team is currently on the bottom of the ladder out of the four teams in the top tier of the Katrina Fanning Shield.
Pictured: Montana Harmer (left) and Kiana Williams (right) running on before a game. Image credit; Goulburn City Bulldogs Facebook page.