When speaking with members of this year’s undefeated Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup team, ‘staying connected’ is frequently mentioned.
It’s been a focal point for the team all season, none more so than for the Yeo sisters, 18-year-old Sienna and 17-year-old Rhian who have been playing sport together for years and now find themselves heading into a grand final together on Saturday.
“We’ve always played Oztag, Touch, and Netball together,” explains Sienna.
“We have arguments at home, but as soon as we step onto the football field, we’re best friends.”
Younger sister Rhian chips in mid-sentence.
“We’re little besties here. She does the easy part, making the play and setting us up, and I have to do the hard part, running hard.”
Sienna continues. “We just gel on the field. We know what each other will do because we’ve grown up playing together. It’s nothing different taking our skills from club to the Steelers.”
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Winning vibe
Sienna played in last year’s Tarsha Gale side, falling a game short of the decider where they were beaten by eventual winners Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, but has noticed a different vibe in the group this year.
“It started with the younger girls coming up (from last year’s Lisa Fiaola Squad),” Sienna explains.
“It’s a different energy, a different vibe. All the girls are gelling and connecting well.”
She has also noticed a change in approach from Head Coach Courtney Crawford, who is in her second year at the helm.
“Courtney has taken a huge step up from last year, which has helped us this year.”
After recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, Sienna didn’t get on the field until round three but has since made the number 13 jersey her own after playing in the halves last season.
“I’m really enjoying the lock position. It’s a change from last year when I played half, but my shoulders feel better than ever.”
Rhian is also making her mark on the side coming off the interchange bench, scoring three tries in her last three games after a slow start to the season through illness.
“I was pretty sick at the start of the season, but I’ve finally recovered and getting better, feeling fitter” Rhian says.
“She just enjoys playing with me,” says Sienna, continuing the banter between the two.
(Pictured: Sienna receiving her grand final jersey from former Steelers Teagan Berry and Keele Browne)
Game plan
Sienna says the game plan for the decider is simple. Don’t mess with the winning formula.
“We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season—playing very good football.
“Go into the game with the same mentality we have all season and just play hard and tackle hard.”
“We can’t panic under pressure. Keep talking on the field, and hopefully, we get the win.”
The team’s resolve was tested last week when the team bus arrived later than scheduled after taking a wrong turn on the way to Leichhardt Oval.
“Going from a two-hour preparation to 30 minutes was definitely a challenge. It was a challenge for us, but the girls stayed strong and did the job,” Rhian explains.
“We didn’t freak out. Everyone kept their emotions to themselves and kept going. I think that showed the character of our team.”
Sienna described the scenes on the bus as chaotic, but like everything else this season, they handled it in their stride. “It was an experience no one thought we’d ever have, but I feel like we didn’t go away from our game plan, and the girls had each other’s backs.”
(Pictured: Rhian receives her jersey from former Steelers Teagan Berry and Keele Browne)
Sister act continues
Beyond the grand final, the Yeo sisters plan to continue their journey together in the Steelers Harvey Norman Women’s premiership team when the season kicks off in July.
“We both have spots on the Steelers Harvey Norman side and of course, the dream one day is to play in the NRLW.
“The plan is to have a good season in Harvey Norman and prove ourselves for the next level.”
Staying connected
First things first, though. Sienna says the team is hellbent on keeping their undefeated record intact and bringing home the title to the Illawarra for the first time since 2019.
“In the two years I’ve played Steelers, we haven’t faced Newcastle yet, but I know they are a side similar to us.
“They are very fit and fast, so I feel like they will try to play around us, but if we shut that down early, I feel like we’ll get them.”
“Courtney believes in us as the strongest forward pack in the comp. If we stay connected, play hard, and stay calm we will get the win. The same tactics we’ve had all season.”
Rhian jumps back in with the final word. “Our team is very connected. From the forwards to the backs we all gel, we know our jobs, and we stick to our jobs.
“The forwards know what to do, the backs know what to do, and I think it will really come down to who wants to fight harder.”
Read More>> Grand Final Team List
Grand Final Saturday, 27 April | CommBank Stadium
- 1:30pm – Tarsha Gale Cup U19’s | Illawarra Steelers v Newcastle Knights