Whether it be Jordan and Pippen or Slater and Smith, some combinations are just a match made in heaven. The same may be said about the developing partnership of Illawarra Steelers halves Caitlin Moran and Koffi Brookfield.
Following their team’s impressive display, in attack and defence, against the Central Coast Roosters last weekend, Moran and Brookfield find themselves as the halves pairing for a fifth consecutive week.
Learning the trade
Having trained in gymnastics from a young age, Brookfield only picked up rugby league in her teenage years quickly progressing through the ranks at her junior club, the Kiama Knights, before signing an NRLW development deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons earlier in the year.
Brookfield says she began her career in the No. 9 jersey and has only played Halfback since joining the Steelers Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side.
“Surprisingly, it’s been really good, I’m loving 7 [Halfback jersey number].
“From initially being at Hooker, I see a lot more differences in the game now playing Halfback.
“I knew how to kick when I was playing 9, but I didn’t use it much, so playing 7 has really improved my kicking game,” Brookfield said.
Master and Apprentice
Brookfield, who is just 17, has started her journey in the open women’s ranks with flying colours. She says the confidence bestowed on her by Dragons coaches Jamie Soward and Steve Kelly, as well as Steelers Coach Jamie Szczerbanik, has encouraged her to play her brand of footy.
“With ‘Sowie’ [Jamie Soward], Steve, and ‘Scissors’ [Jamie Szczerbanik] believing in me, it definitely gives me reassurance that I can do what I want to do.”
Brookfield also enjoys getting advice and confidence from her more experienced partner in crime, Caitlin Moran, 27, affectionately known as ‘Nan’ who she says is a joy to play alongside.
“I love the girls; they make the job so easy, especially Caitlin,” Brookfield explains.
“She’s been awesome, and her knowledge of the game that she passes down to me and where she has gotten to is amazing.
“It’s great playing alongside her as I can get all her little critiques.”
Caitlin confident in ‘kid’
The feeling is reciprocated on Moran’s behalf, saying she’s finally enjoying her footy again, playing alongside her younger halves partner.
“I absolutely love playing alongside the kid [Brookfield],” Moran says.
“She’s growing each week with her own confidence. We have our own little chats, which is great.
“She’s been telling me what to do sometimes, and the same goes for me; it works really well.
“Having the No. 7 on your back can be a bit daunting, especially as a young player, but all the girls love her, and she’s fallen into that role very comfortably.
“I am really enjoying my footy once again being down here, and I think it’s showing on the field,” Moran said.
Szczerbanik has commended Moran for the added experience she has provided his Steelers outfit since her introduction at the beginning of the season.
“We got Caitlin to come to the club for a reason; that was her experience,” Szczerbanik said.
“I think that’s given Koffi a lot of confidence. She’s played at the highest level. That’s something you can’t coach.”
Moran’s stunning start
With Brookfield making a good fist of the Halfback role, Moran says wearing the No.6 on her back instead of her traditional 7 jersey has given her more freedom on the field.
“I feel like it’s given me a bit more freedom; I feel a bit more relaxed, too,” Moran says.
“To have kickers on both sides helps especially with Koffi and our fullback as an option also.”
The former Australian representative has also set herself a goal this season to work on her ability to take on the line more frequently, playing to her strengths and natural running game. She admits it’s an element of her game encouraged by Szczerbanik.
“That’s my personal goal for this year, to get back to when I was younger.
“Scissors doesn’t want to take away from us playing natural footy; he’s always said that.
“He’s very vocal and adamant that each individual is in this team for the playing style and skill level that they bring.”
Top-of-table clash awaits
In this weekend’s first-versus-second clash against the undefeated Wenty Magpies, Moran pinpoints defence as the key to winning this game and advancing for the remainder of the season.
“Defence is our main goal. Just keep doing what we’ve been doing, start fast and finish fast whilst playing a whole 70 minutes.
“We know our strength, which is our fitness, and it’s going to be a grind in doing the tough yards first; scoring tries will come, we can score tries, we know that.”
Words: Joshua Houldin