NSW Sky Blues calling on Blatchys Blues support
Westpac NSW Sky Blues Jaime Chapman and Olivia Kernick ventured into enemy territory today where they appealed to all supporters of the women’s game to be there at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday 16 May for Game One of this year’s State of Origin series.
“The energy is there, and our hearts are invested in it,” Kernick said.
“Having the game as part of Magic Round will just be insane.
“It’s just about getting the message out there to everyone to come to the women’s games.
“It’s not our home ground, but I know the Blatchys Blues will be there in big numbers for us.”
Kernick and Chapman were joined by Queensland Maroons skipper Ali Briggenshaw under the shadow of Brisbane’s famous Story Bridge to remind Rugby League fans to arrive a day earlier for the Women’s Origin match if they’re planning on attending the NRL’s Magic Round.
“It’s only four weeks away so the banter I had today with Ali (Briggenshaw) makes it all seem very real and close,” Chapman said.
“We’ve had lots of time to prepare. I know the Blues girls are definitely ready.
“We just need the Blatchys Blues to get their tickets, bring their wigs and join us at Suncorp. It’s exciting times.”
Kernick and Chapman are doing more travel than usual at this time of year.
They both play for the Tweed Seagulls in the QRL’s BMD Premiership – the equivalent of the NSWRL’s Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, which has been moved to later in the year to coincide with the 2024 NRLW season.
“Lots of travelling going up and down to training at the (NSWRL) Centre of Excellence but my body feels good, and my mind is definitely ready to play one of the biggest games on our calendar,” Chapman said.
“It happens every year with me living and playing in Queensland when Origin comes around. I cop a lot of criticism being a Blues player.
“But my heart is always down in the Shire in Sydney where I’m from.
“I actually live in Tweed Heads so I’m not quite in Queensland. “
Kernick chose to play in the Queensland competition to bring her match fitness up to par.
“I’m lucky enough to be able to play up here in BMD so I’ll get a few more extra games under my belt than some of the other girls,” she said.
“But the girls down in NSW have been getting to Origin training twice a week and when I can join them, I find the sessions of such high intensity.
“Everyone looks unreal physically and mentally, it’s a good vibe us all being together and training.”
Queensland claimed the Origin shield last year on aggregate points after the two-game series finished 1-all.
The 2024 Women’s State of Origin creates history as the first three-game series, with Game Two in Newcastle on 6 June and Game Three in Townsville on June 27.
“Obviously we want the Shield back but the focus is far more on us doing our job – if we do that right then we will get the Shield back,” Kernick said.
