Injury has prevented True Blue Shaylee Bent from playing in her seventh Indigenous All Stars game but she’s working hard to make a return to the Westpac NSW Blues Women’s team.
The 24-year-old Gold Coast Titan underwent clean-out surgery on her right shoulder in December.
She was initially named in the 2025 All Stars side for the annual match against Maori at CommBank Stadium tomorrow (Saturday 15 February) but had to withdraw because the joint wasn’t fully healed.
But in the All Stars camp this week Bent (pictured above left) met with Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley and a third Deadly Choices ambassador, former NSW Under 19s fullback Jada Taylor.
“I am trying to get back for Origin but it all depends on my shoulder. I’m running and doing strength work and ball skills but no contact yet,” Bent said.
“We have an Origin camp coming up soon which is exciting.
“I’ve just got to really rip into my rehab and hope my shoulder keeps healing nicely.
“It’s looking good. I’ve just got to trust the process and hopefully it all falls into place.”
Bent has played four Origins (2020, 2022-2023) but missed selection in 2024, although she was in the initial 35-player Blues squad before it was trimmed to 20.
Despite not being able to play in this year’s All Stars, Bent is still around the camp in her advocacy work with the Deadly Blues/Deadly Choices health and lifestyle program for First Nations people.
They are encouraged to get a health check from participating Aboriginal Health Service (AHS) centres and then will receive a Deadly Blues or Deadly Maroons jersey.
Bent, a proud Biripi-Wiradjuri woman, said Rugby League was the link for the conversation.
“Footy brings our mob together. So when they see footy, health, and their favourite athletes together they want to find out more – what are we promoting, why are we doing it,” she said.
“They start asking questions and the conversation has started.
“I’m very grateful Deadly Choices have allowed me to come into camp as this game is so important to me. It’s where my journey started back in 2019.
“I played in this jersey when I was 18 and I’m 24 now. So I’m glad I’m on board with Deadly Choices to come into camp and have a yarn with members of the men’s team and women’s team about what we do.
“They can have those conversations when they go back to their clubs.”
Taylor, who plays for NRLW club Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, is returning from ACL surgery but made her All Stars debut in 2023.
“We can use a sport like Rugby League to really impact people’s lives – getting the health check actually changes lives,” Taylor said.
“Conversations about how they can live healthier lives, they are more likely to listen to someone who plays footy. It’s a program that is so worthwhile.”
