[Pictured L to R – Rhian, Zali, Sienna]
Cousins Zali and Sienna Yeo have enjoyed strong starts to their 2023 HNWP and Tarsha Gale Cup seasons, respectively, with the inclusion of Sienna’s sister Rhian in the Under 17s Lisa Fiaola Cup squad giving the Steelers a triple threat from the family across its three female grades.
Zali, who has crossed for a team-high four tries in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side, hails from Mudgee in the Central West. Sienna and Rhian are locals who have developed their talent in the Illawarra.
Zali, the sister of Panthers, NSW, and Australian lock Isaah, only began playing tackle rugby league three seasons ago, learning quickly with the help of a background in touch footy and league tag.
“When I first started playing league I would go to training, and Mum and Dad didn’t really ask what training I was doing, so I kind of got away with playing tackle until the comp started,” Zali says.
Once she had won her parents over, Zali and her family began making regular journeys to Wollongong to trial for the Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup side last season while completing her HSC.
The 19-year-old has begun studying Primary Education at UOW, cherishing the opportunity to move into the senior squad for their inaugural season.
“It’s been a big opportunity to transition from Tarsha Gale to Harvey Norman, and playing against grown women now,” she said.
“It’s been awesome being around the senior players, learning from them and their professionalism. I’m just loving it.”
Pivotal
Meanwhile, in the Tarsha Gale Cup side, Sienna has returned from two years off due to canceled seasons and shoulder surgery, leading the team around the park from halfback.
Sienna only began playing tackle at age 16 with the Corrimal Cougars, and while she has had a stop-start journey to the Tarsha Gale Cup side, she hasn’t let it hold her back.
“I like the pressure of playing in the halves, getting to boss people around,” Sienna says with a laugh.
“We’ve had a pretty good start to the season. Our defence has kept us in every game, and our attack needs a tiny bit of work but at the moment it’s going good.
“Last week against the Dragons we showed what we’re capable of in our attack, and our defence was also good in that game.”
Stepping Up
Sienna’s younger sister Rhian is preparing for her Steelers debut against the Bulldogs this weekend. She looks forward to stepping up after beginning her tackle career with the Cougars last season.
“I signed myself up last year, and I kind of fell in love with it. It’s such a great sport, it’s so versatile and you can do so many things.”
An aggressive player who is not afraid to do the hard yards, Rhian started playing in the front row and is looking to add to her skill set as a ball-playing lock or edge back-rower should she be called on to do so.
Rhian says she is confident in her teammates and the work they’ve put in so far at training, and can’t wait to follow on from Zali and Sienna and wear the Steelers colours.
“It’s like having an extra support group within the Steelers. It’s great having one from each team, three teams, three girls, it couldn’t be better.”
Words | Russ Haylock
