Teenage prodigy Tori Shipton continues her impressive rugby league journey, scoring a brace of tries on her Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership debut for the Steelers against the Wests Tigers in their 50-6 win last Sunday.
Coming from a Rugby Union background, the 17-year-old showcased what she’s capable of on the Rugby League stage earlier in the year, earning herself the Steelers 2024 Lisa Fiaola Cup Player of the Year award.
“When I first came into Lisa Fiaola, it was more about learning the rules of the game,” Shipton said.
Dream Debut
Shipton says playing hooker in Lisa Fiaola Cup as well as her days as a scrum half in Rugby Union, helped smooth the transition to hooker against the Wests Tigers last Sunday.
“I played scrum half mostly my whole life. Learning the position wasn’t bad for me because I’ve always kind of been a dummy half.”
Despite oozing confidence with every pass, carry of the ball, and tackle she makes, Shipton’s debut didn’t come without its nerves.
“I was very nervous but very excited to play with such a good group of girls.”
“I look up to these girls, especially some days when we train with the NRLW girls.”
Steelers Coach Jamie Szczerbanik has nothing but praise for his No.9 and hopes she can build on her stellar debut for the rest of the season.
“She [Tori Shipton] was really good in her first game of open women’s footy.
“She’s not the biggest in stature, but when it comes to heart, she’s up there.”
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Prepping for Parra
Having posted the biggest scoreline of the opening two rounds of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, the Steelers are looking for their second-consecutive victory at home this Sunday against the Parramatta Eels.
Steelers forward Shae Muhleisen says her side is ready to go and knows what it will take to beat the Eels.
“As a team, doing our own roles at 100% or the best of our ability,
“Sticking to our job and doing our job well.”
The Picton junior adding the team’s preparedness to do the extra one percenters gives them the confidence that they can win any game they go into this season.
Muhleisen bringing the energy
The 26-year-old says she gained a lot from playing for the Mackay Cutters, who won the 2024 BMD Premiership earlier this year.
“I took a lot away from everything, as a player and person.
“It taught me a lot, between the travelling from Townsville to Mackay just for home games as well as all over Queensland.”
Muhleisen has identified her role on the Steelers’ side as bringing physicality and energy, particularly off the interchange bench.
“I bring the physicality and just love defending.
“I’m supposed to bring wisdom with my age, but I’m definitely not; I just bring some energy.
“I think some of these girls are definitely teaching me a thing or two.”
Words: Joshua Houldin