Following a 10-point loss against the competition leaders Wenty Magpies, Illawarra Steelers Captain Lily Rogan (main picture) remains adamant that her side can reignite their season with a win on the road this weekend.
The 20-year-old Centre reflects on her feelings after the Magpies game, saying that since digesting and addressing where things went wrong, her side will be better for it.
“Once that loss has happened, you can feel those emotions, but you have to quickly pack them up because you’ve got next week coming.
“All losses hurt, and we don’t want to experience those emotions again,” Rogan said.
Lily On Leadership
As the season passed the halfway point, Rogan took the time to reflect on the first six rounds of the competition. The most noticeable change to her game is how she has handled her first season as captain.
Rogan says this evolution of her game is really special, and she wants to ‘wear the captain’s armband’ into the foreseeable future.
“Being named captain is new for me; it’s my first captaincy.
“I’ve pretty much played my entire footy career here. That they trusted me with this role is very special.
“The girls that we have here just make it easy; it does not put so much pressure or anything on me in the end.”
Someone to who Rogan credits some of her player attributes is Sydney Roosters Captain Isabelle Kelly.
After having the chance to lace up alongside her in last season’s NRLW campaign, Rogan says that learning and gaining wisdom from Kelly and players in the Roosters system has helped develop her game.
“Learning off my idols like Izzy [Kelly] who’s the captain and plays my position there.
“I took a lot from what she does in her game.
“Having someone to look up to in that environment really advanced me, and it’s something I’ve hopefully brought back down to Steelers.”
Preparing For Newcastle Road Trip
The Steelers, looking to maintain their second-place spot, head north to face the third-placed Newcastle Knights this Saturday.
Rogan is well aware of the Knights’ ability, and although they are hot on her team’s tail, she fully believes they can get the job done.
“Newcastle are going to come out firing, and we have to match that early on and maintain it.
“I have a lot of faith in our team that we can go out there and beat a lot of teams in this competition.”
Coach Jamie Szczerbanik is also confident in his side’s preparations ahead of this weekend’s clash and says playing Steelers footy is essential to returning to the south coast with two points.
“They like to play expansive football, and there is going to be no plays off,” Szczerbanik said.
“But we play Steelers footy, and we worry about Steelers footy.
“If we nail that, we’ll give it a good shake.”
Diamond In The Rough
With Szczerbanik describing her as a “diamond in the rough,” Illawarra Steelers Utility Tayleah Handcock (pictured below) has become a crucial player for his side.
Initially injected into the game as a utility off the bench, Handcock has found herself filling the shoes of injured Jessica Patea at fullback over the last three weeks.
Against Newcastle this weekend, it’s no different; the 20-year-old is named to wear the No.1 jersey yet again.
Szczerbanik admires Handcock’s efforts, so much so that he suggests Patea may have to work to earn her jersey back.
“She’s played Tarsha Gale for Steelers in previous years at fullback, and we knew she’d do the job.
“She’s showing that it’s going to be tough for her [Patea] to earn that jersey back.”
Handcock appreciates Szczerbanik’s faith in her, saying that his coaching style has brought the best out of her game.
“Scissors [Szczerbanik] has been really good with me.
“He’s very approachable. If I ever need help with anything, I know I can go straight to him.
“He’ll always let me know about my performance with honesty and has been amazing in helping me with my game.”
While conducting the team in defence, Handcock has also taken on kicking duties, converting 15 from her last 19 attempts off the tee—something she thanks her days as a soccer player for.
“I used to play soccer which helps,” Handcock explains.
“Before I played tackle, I was in charge of kicking playing League Tag.
“I’ve always enjoyed taking on that role in the team.”
Words: Joshua Houldin