With their victory over the Broncos in round one, Parramatta made a statement, with both veterans and rookies declaring the arrival of a new look Eels squad this season.
Center In her third-ever rugby league game, Rory Owen scored in her NRLW debut. She acknowledged that she was still learning the game, but that it was paying off to heed the advise of her teammates, especially winger Zali Fay and captain Mahalia Murphy.
Owen said to NRL.com, “I was really, really nervous, but as soon as I got on the field, the team was behind me, so I felt pretty comfortable and happy to be there.”
“I adore our group; it’s by far the most encouraging one I’ve ever been a part of.
“I always look to Mahalia,” She offered me a ton of guidance. She was in my second row; Zali has my exterior, and she has my inner.
“I just put my head down and follow Zali’s instructions; she’s just in my ear, so everything works out fine.”
“Everyone is incredibly kind and patient, and they come over and help me as soon as I seem lost.”
Steve Georgallis, a former player for the Eastern and Western Suburbs, has taken over as head coach this season. After the victory, he was all praise for his rookie, inviting her into the starting lineup despite her lack of playing experience.
“When Rory Owen scored that try, I was ecstatic for her,” he exclaimed.
“As a coach, you live for those moments. It’s truly special to watch a debutant, at her age, who has never played NRLW before take on the Broncos, a team that has finished in the top four the previous three or four years.”
Owen noted that her decision to play rugby league was an unanticipated one, but she seized the chance wholeheartedly, earning her a debut in the process.
I’m incredibly proud to be here, Owen stated. “I’ve been working hard all pre-season, but I didn’t expect to play the first game,” Owen remarked.
“(Earlier in my athletic career) I just played a ton of touch and athletics; I ran the 400 meters, I qualified for the nationals in the 400 meters, and I had an athletics background when I started union after school.”
If you’re a little fitter, quicker, and have good hand-eye coordination, it’s simple to take up.
I played my first rugby union match last year, and I also participated in rugby sevens and the union pathways.
“I got a call from my manager at the end of last year. He got me in with the Eels, saying, “I think you’ve got a path ahead of you if you want to jump to league and I can find you a team.”
“I started there this year and they’ve been super supportive, taught me so much, so I’m ready, I felt good.
“Even though I think that was my third league game, it didn’t feel like it.
“Georgey is really, really good …he just pulls me aside and tells me exactly what I need to do and I do it or I try to. He’s great.”
Although it’s remarkable enough to score a try in a victory debut, Owen was also able to celebrate at Suncorp Stadium with his family and friends.
“I grew raised in Brissie, Queensland. “My family is in Brisbane, but my parents are now based on the sunny coast, so this is the dream debut because everyone had to be here,” Owen remarked.
“I never thought I’d get a try! That was quite thrilling.