North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars head coach Gavin Lloyd has named his team for Saturday’s trial match against the Central Queensland Capras at Browne Park in Rockhampton (3pm).
Newly-appointed captain Jenni-Sue Hoepper headlines the line-up featuring Indigenous All Star teammate Layla Fauid.
The 25-year-old half is honoured to be able to lead North Queensland’s inaugural team in the QRLW competition.
“We have a lot of other girls that have played senior football for a good while that will also bring a lot of leadership to the team,” Hoepper said.
“I would love to be able to help lay a platform for the younger girls coming through that will be the future of this team and competition.”
Hoepper is looking forward to using the trial game to gain playing experience with her teammates, who are from Townsville, Cairns and Mackay, before the season starts.
"The CQ Capras girls have already had a trial game so for this to be our first hit out is about understanding our game plan and getting to know the girls we're playing alongside," she said.
"I've played with a few of the girls in the past, with NQ Marlins, Queensland Country and All Stars, so I'm really looking forward to being able to play a full season."
The match will act as the Gold Stars’ only hit out ahead of the team’s QRLW Round 1 clash against Brothers in Ipswich on Saturday, March 14.
Gold Stars team list
Codi Dalley (Cairns)
Courtney Reynolds (Townsville)
Deb Barchard (Mackay)
Emma Manzelmann (Mackay)
Emma Wood (Townsville)
Esha Nona (Cairns)
Jasmine Peters (Mackay)
Jenni-Sue Hoepper (Townsville)
Joanna Kerr (Cairns)
Kaiyla Ward (Cairns)
Katie Green (Mackay)
Lauren Moss (Mackay)
Layla Fauid (Mackay)
Levinia Robinson (Mackay)
Lyrech Mara (Townsville)
Maggie Brosnan (Mackay)
Mateeka Nielson (Townsville)
Rangi Edwards-Bruce (Mackay)
Riutoto Te Hiko (Townsville)
Romy Teitzel (Townsville)
Samara Luta (Townsville)
Tamika Bray (Townsville)
