In the last two months Orange Emus guns Em McDonald and Jacky Lyden covered more than 5,400 kilometres and spent more than 50 hours in the car between here and Canberra, all in a bid to be considered for the ACT Brumbies’ 2019 Super W tilt.
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It’s paid off, big time.
On Monday afternoon both were named in the franchise’s final, 30-strong squad for this year’s second edition of the tournament, which kicks off next month.
McDonald and Lyden are two of 15 new faces in the Brumbies squad and their selections come after they dominated Central West Rugby Union’s Westfund Ferguson Cup and then starred for NSW Country last year as well – proof the pathway to the top is very much alive for regionally-based players in the women’s game.
McDonald is one of three halfbacks named in the Brumbies’ squad alongside incumbents Jane Garraway and Remi Wilton while Lyden in among a four-strong group considered out-and-out centres, including Wallaroo Michelle Perry.
“Honestly it’s all been a blur, when [head coach Adam Butt] called me I think I was in shock,” McDonald said.
“It’s been one tough experience so far, it has sunk in, as soon as [Butt] called me I knew is the real deal so it’s time to take it up a notch. But if you’re willing to learn and enjoy it it makes the whole process easier. This is constantly challenging me, I love that,” Lyden added.
Both admitted they didn’t entirely expected to be named in the final squad, but said they were confident they’d done enough hard work to have at least give themselves a chance.
“There was a lot of skill in the training squad, and I wouldn’t have been disappointed if I’d missed out because I’d had four weeks of training that was unreal,” McDonald said, with Lyden adding she’s a firm believer that “if you put the effort in one day you will reap the rewards”.
It was, and will be a big help having the other there on the journey too, McDonald and Lyden agreed.
“I’m really glad I had, and have, someone close by, we travel twice a week and we push each other to do our best,” McDonald said.
“Emily’s my little sister, I like to push her outside her comfort zone because she has so much potential,” Lyden said.
“It’s awesome there’s two of us, we both really pushed each other. The drives to and from training are awesome too because we have the opportunity to debrief.
“We got to learn pretty quick that this is a massive opportunity and we are both going to give it everything.”
McDonald and Lyden were officially presented their Brumbies gear at training on Monday night as well and will now move into their final preparations before their side’s opening round in February, although the official start date is yet to be confirmed.
Louise Burrows, Violeta Tupuola, Georgia O’Neill and Shellie Milward are the other Wallaroos in the Brumbies’ squad, with the latter named skipper for the second consecutive season.
Considering they’ve now pushed to the elite domestic level in the sport, the pair’s thought process has obviously changed, with both admitting a national jersey is now the end goal.
“I just want to get any game time I can, wear that jersey on the field even if it’s for two minutes. The other two halfbacks both played last year, so I have to show the coaches what I’ve got,” McDonald said.
“A Wallaroos spot is ultimately the goal, but that’s a long way away. I’m only 19 and every training session I’m learning something new so for now I just want to [keep improving].”
“Butty said at our first training session we don’t just want to aim for the Brumbies … the Wallaroos is what we should be aiming for,” Lyden added.
“If that happens to be the case then so be it (but) my goal is to get as much experience as I can, the process and season is short so whatever it is, whether that be training or games, I’ll give it 100 per cent all the time.
“There’s two trials prior to the season so goal one is to put everything I’ve learned into practice and show that.
“Ultimately, I’d love to represent the Philippines in the sevens too, and follow in my little brother Emman’s footsteps.”
- ACT BRUMBIES: (Forwards) Rachele Brown, Louise Burrows, Peta Cox, Bridgette Cunningham, Harriet Elleman, Grace Kemp, Sharyn Laws, Michaela Leonard, Irene Macarthur, Kristie Mathews, Shellie Milward ©, Georgia O'Neill, Paige Penning, Tayla Stanford, Stefanie Stewart-Jones, Emily Sogal, Violeta Tupuola; (Backs) Biola Dawa, Ngawai Eyles, Jane Garraway, Brooke Gilroy, Carly Hill, Jess Howard, Jacky Lyden, Paremo Marsh, Em McDonald, Michelle Perry, Darcy Read, Remi Wilton, Sammie Wood
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
