Demi Chapman is a self-confessed sports nut.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Netball, league tag, football and rugby sevens, if there's a team sport looking for a pocket rocket with a craving for contact then Chapman's their girl.
But last weekend was a first for the 24-year-old.
Taking part in this season's Western Women's Rugby League competition, the Panorama Platypi gun made her Western debut at Parkes in the Rams' 30-6 loss against a gun Monaro side.
It wasn't the result Chapman was looking for, far from it, but it's an experience she's keen to build on come Saturday when the Rams host Greater Southern Region Wests Tigers at Bathurst.
"I've played every sport under the sun," the Blayney product said.
Netball's the main one, but any chance I get to play footy I will.
- Western Rams centre Demi Chapman.
"Netball's the main one, but any chance I get to play footy I will.
"A lot of my past experience has been with nines though, so playing with Western in full, 13-a-side … it's a big step up.
"Being out there, full field and all positions covered, and everyone's role being so specialised, it's completely different to what I'm used to.
"But I played tackle all through school so I love it. I love the contact."
Chapman says the Rams girls have learned plenty from their 24-point loss in the opening round of the country championship and Western will look to play a more expansive game against the Tigers.
"We definitely can improve," she fired.
"We trained (on Thursday) and think we needed that match under belts to see what we need to work on.
"Communication and playing natural footy rather than too structured will definitely help out."
Coach Jess Skinner has made a couple of changes to her side after last week's loss, with co-captain Meredith Jones moving from the wing to the backrow to be closer to the play.
Castlereagh prop Chantel Burgess will start, while Alahna Ryan has been rewarded for an outstanding opening round outing and has been promoted to start at lock.
Chapman will again partner young Woodbridge Cup flier Molly Hoswell down Western's left edge.
"My role is to support my winger because she's only young and, I guess, I've got a speed and power. I've played a bit of second row so I'll just look to use that to my advantage," she said.
The GSR Wests Tigers travel to Bathurst on the back of a 52-0 loss to Illawarra last week.
"I only got to watch a little bit of their game but I think it's similar to us; they gave away a few too many penalties. They'll be hungry like us, so they'll bounce back," Chapman predicted.
Western tackles the Tigers from 12.50pm at Jack Arrow Oval.
The gun centre and a stack of other Rams players will back up after Saturday's Western commitments and play in the WWRL semi-finals at Wellington. Panorama takes on Mudgee from 12pm.
- WESTERN: 1 Heidi Regan (Woodbridge Cup), 2 Haley Joseph (Mudgee Dragons), 3 Demi Chapman (Panorama Platypi), 4 Emily Catton (Dubbo Goannas), 5 Molly Hoswell (Woodbridge Cup), 6 Brittany Naden (Dubbo Goannas), 7 Rebecca Ford (c, Panorama Platypi), 8 Haylee Lepaio (Panorama Platypi), 9 Lailee Phillips (Panorama Platypi), 10 Chantel Burgess (Castlereagh Cup), 11 Meredith Jones (c, Panorama Platypi), 12 Zarlia Griffiths (Panorama Platypi), 13 Alahna Ryan (Dubbo Goannas); Bench: 14 Taneka Todhunter (Dubbo Goannas), 15 Cassie Toomey (Dubbo Goannas), 16 Anna Evans (Panorama Platypi), 17 Kayla Hasson-Williams (Dubbo Goannas), 18 Chloe White (Woodbridge Cup).
DO YOU WANT MORE SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below …