Just being named in NSW Country’s initial, 43-strong squad was overwhelming for Em McDonald, she just wanted to soak up the experience and give last Sunday’s final selection trial a “red-hot” crack.
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How do you think she’s feeling now, after being named in the final squad for Sunday’s clash with the Sydney Rays?
The Orange Emus half is one five Central West stars named in the Country outfit, along with Bathurst Bulldogs’ Marita Shoulder, Mandy Scott and Mel Waterford, CSU Bathurst’s Claire Woolmington and West Wyalong’s Sharnah Stevens.
Bulldogs speedster Claudia McLaren was picked too, but was forced to withdraw after being called up to Sydney University’s AON Uni 7s side this weekend.
It makes for a distinctly Central West feel around the Country squad, which is actually coached by former Bulldogs mentor Michael Burgess too.
Of that group Shoulders is one of the most experienced, having played in Sydney, but she said she never dreamed she’d get this kind of opportunity.
Her side faces Sydney before the Rays’ National Rugby Championship clash with the Fijian Drua, at Concord Oval.
“I never would have imagined it. Not from the battle that we faced back in the Sydney comp when we struggled to be on the same field as the men, even to train, let alone play at this high a level,” Shoulders said.
“It’s amazing to be played as a curtain-raiser, it’s really good exposure for the women.
“I’m just enjoying it, I feel like I’m a little old for this and wish it had happened a few years ago, but I’m taking every opportunity I can at the moment.”
Although she has no doubt in the ability of all the Central West reps, Shoulder did admit to being a little surprised so many got named, purely because regional players can often “get overlooked” a bit.
“It’s great,” Shoulders said.
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“I am surprised yes, because there are still a lot of Sydney players in there. Obviously we take in Campbelltown and I think the metro girls got the option if they’d played in the country before or come from country, to select what team they want to be in.
“We often get overlooked out here too.”
Incredibly, this is also Shoulders’ first NSW Country gig.
“I’ve only ever played for Sydney before, half of the Sydney team I’ve played with and against,” she explained.
“There are a few of the girls in the Country team that I used to play with in Sydney like Ariana Kaiwai, she plays for the Wallaroos now but she played with me at Blacktown when she first ever played rugby over here when she was like 15.
“I always wanted to play for Country, I just didn’t know how to go about it because I was playing in Sydney.
“Having quality coaching and quality players, we are just going to learn so much. We'll be sponges and bring as much back from it as we can.
“It’s going to be a very eye-opening experience.”
NSW Country will play a second game on October 7 too, before the Eagles’ NRC clash with Brisbane City at Camden.
This weekend’s clash kicks off at 1pm.