More than capable of scoring points the Western Rams are now turning their heads to be one of the best defensive units, when the NSWRL 2025 Women’s Country Championships (WCC) begin this weekend.
The Rams are the reigning champions having enjoyed a 28-12 win over the North Coast Bulldogs in the grand final played at Woy Woy in March last year.
Coach Kevin Grimshaw says the team will benefit from having retained its spine from that winning side – fullback Tiana Anderson, five-eighth Carly Abbott, halfback Sarah Coleman and hooker Xanthe Booth.
“Having so many return means there’s already good combinations and connections between the girls,” Grimshaw said.
“That’s also why I’ve shifted my concentration a bit to our defence. We have the calibre of player you need for attack, but we’ve got to stop oppositions scoring freely as well.
“We need to be on-song with our defence because everyone is going to be coming at us now.
“Last year we were a sleeping giant, we’re going to have a mark on our foreheads this year.”
Western Rams certainly were an attacking force racking up 88 points and only conceding 16 in their two pool games last year leading to the finals.
One chink in the armour is the unavailability of NSWRL’s Country Women’s Player of the Year, Alicia Earsman, who scored twice in the grand final.
The middle forward broke her ankle towards the end of 2024 and the injury is not fully healed.
“I had to find someone very close to her mentality, which I have in (lock) Maggie Townsend from Dubbo, who used to play a couple of years ago for Rams so it’s good to have her back,” he said.
“Another couple of Rams player returning are Meredith Jones and second rower Nicole Schneider. Nicole became a mum and has worked really hard to force her way back in.”
Among the seven new faces in the 19-player squad is 18 year-old fullback/centre Lara Edwards, who Grimshaw is expecting to push the more senior players.
“I may not be able to give her much game time but she will learn a lot from being around this squad,” he said.
The first of three weekend training camps has been completed with two remaining.
“Everybody was very keen and raring to go. We did a bit of fitness on the first day just to get our heads back in the right spot,” Grimshaw said.
“The next day we did a lot of defensive drills and patterns.”
The WCC season starts on Saturday (15 February) with the North Coast Bulldogs taking on the Northern Rivers Titans in Coffs Harbour.
The Rams first game is against the Monara Colts on Sunday 23 February in Canowindra.
Click here for Women's Country Championships draw.
