Of all the big plays and key moments across the NSWRL’s competitions in 2023, Mounties halfback Matilda Power may have produced the most memorable of the lot.
It was a Saturday evening in April at Leichhardt Oval, the night of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Grand Final – Power’s Mounties lining up against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Under gruelling conditions, the two sides went head-to-head in driving rain with neither letting in a try for 70 minutes. But at nil-all in the dying moments the ball found the hands of the No.7, who nailed a field goal from 24 metres out to secure a 1-0 win and the 2023 Premiership trophy.
The match-winning play capped off a solid season for the halfback, producing 13 try assists and 11 line-break assists from her 11 appearances.
Power then joined the Sydney Roosters NRLW squad on a development contract, although the 25-year-old is yet to make her NRLW debut.
With Power on the cusp of achieving her goal to play in the national competition, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing to reach some of her best form in 2023.
Having overcome three ACL ruptures and a collarbone injury more than two years ago, the playmaker is only just get started after steering Mounties to glory.
Ahead of next season, the future looks bright for Matilda Power as she chases her NRLW dream.
