Kezie Apps wants more than three rounds of NRLW in 2020

A National Women’s Rugby League (NRLW) Premiership is the latest in a long list of sporting achievements for Cobargo’s Millie Boyle.

Having already represented her country and her state, Millie and her Brisbane Broncos teams mates were decisive winners over the St George Illawarra Dragons in yesterday’s season decider.

But the Bega Valley was a winner either way with Bega’s Kezie Apps captaining the Dragons out of a slow start to the short season to being premiership contenders.

At the end of the 60 minutes, “a dominant Broncos side proved too clinical for the Dragons, who were under immense pressure for the game’s entirety,” according to NRL commentator Alice Newton.

Brisbane securing back to back NRLW titles with a 30 to 6 victory after three rounds of the premiership season.

Boyle and her team mates had the Red V against the ropes at every turn, quickly taking their 10 – nil halftime lead to 12 -nil, 18 – nil, 24 – nil, 30 – nil, before “the Dragons got on the board late through a consolation try to [Kezie] Apps but it was the Broncos’ day for a second consecutive season,” Newton says.

Millie Boyle was given a 9 out of 10 for her performance by NRL commentator Chris Kennedy, “[an] incredible first stint set the tone as the Dragons struggled to contain her charges and defended brilliantly. Came back for more of the same in the last 15, finishing with a match-high 139 metres,” Kennedy says.

Praise too for Kezie Apps, who “busted through two tackles in the opening half, and another three in the second, to try and get some momentum going. Another feature of her game was her quick play-the-balls. The NSW captain was rewarded with a try,” NRL commentator Margie McDonald says.

Fans are cheering the achievement of both sides:

Don Smallwood, “Well done Broncos! You played very well! I just hope you Bronco boys were watching! That’s how you TACKLE!! Not grabbing at their shoulders as they run past!”

Louise Tuckey, “Good on you girls job well done you sure put the boys to shame.”

Matt Fagence, “Amazing, dominant, excellent Broncos team! Fantastic. Congratulations to the Broncos women’s team Premiers 2019, woo hoo!”

Karen Males, “You had a wonderful year and have made us a Dragon supporters proud. Well done.”

Carol Simpson, “You’ve done us proud ladies!! That Broncos team was next level. Revel in your achievements!”

Mark Osborne, “Bad luck ladies! Hold your heads high. You wore the Red V with pride!”

Aside from being Bega Vallians, Boyle and Apps are NSW State of Origin team mates and are happy to see each other playing the game they love and seeing the women’s game draw a crowd.

“It’s awesome to see so many people coming to our game,” Apps said at yesterday’s medal presentation.

“To my girls, we didn’t start very well, we didn’t stick to our game plan, maybe it was the occasion [that got to us].”

Queensland Captain Ali Brigginshaw praised her teams focus on the game plan.

“The girls just believe in each other, this jersey gives you something, we don’t know what it is but it gives you something on the field,” she said.

While the support for women’s rugby league in the local Group 16 competition is undeniable and the life blood of some clubs, as the NSW and St George Captain, Apps is hoping for more than three rounds from the national comp in 2020.

After playing in front of 37,000 fans at the soon to be dismantled Sydney Olympic Stadium Apps told NRL.com, “I know the two teams that were in the grand final last year played really early and there wasn’t really anyone there to watch them so it was a massive step forward for the game to have so many people coming in to watch us play.”

“It might have even been the first time a lot of them were watching women’s rugby league so I apologise that our game wasn’t the best that we can probably play.

“I would love to have a longer competition so we can showcase what this team is really capable of and just build those combinations.

“The more time we get to spend together the better footy we do get to play so hopefully next year that is on the cards.”

The Bega Valley will be cheering and producing talent inspired by your leadership.