To kick off 2017, we take a look at some of the up-and-coming male and female stars who will hope to represent NSW this year and in the future. Today we look at arguably the toughest player in women's Rugby League: Kezie Apps.
After a simply incredible 2016, Bega’s own Kezie Apps can now be considered the greatest player in women’s Rugby League.
Since taking up the sport just two years ago, Apps has come a long way; beginning in women’s league tag, she forged a liking to an outside-in line that has seen her game improve as a second-rower. With a 12-hour round trip to and from training sessions for the Helensburgh Tigers, Apps’ commitment to the game cannot be questioned and in 2016 she reaped the rewards.
First selected to play for NSW in the 2015 Women’s Interstate Challenge, Apps was forced from the field late in the 4-all draw thanks to a horror shin injury and was determined to make amends this year. She put forward a 153-metre, 35-tackle, five-tackle-break performance which earned her Player of the Match honours in the drought-breaking victory, subsequently named the state’s Women’s NSW State Player of the Year at the annual Brad Fittler Medal. A year of accolades was capped off a week later as she was named the best in the country at the Dally M Awards – again the Female Player of the Year.
At just 25 years of age, Apps is still likely to represent NSW and Australia for some time and will hope to feature in both the 2017 Women’s Interstate Challenge and Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Likened to NSW True Blue Ryan Hoffman in her playing style, Apps’ toughness and skill has already inspired countless young girls to take up the sport in the future.
