WA, Gems chasing fast start after reaching opens final
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Western Australia co-captain Anneka Stephens says her side will need to start fast against the First Nations Gems in the Harvey Norman National Championships opens final on Sunday.
Unbeaten Western Australia finished on top with the Gems, who only lost to WA, second after five matches over three days in Redcliffe.
Stephens, a former forward for the Dragons in the NRLW, said the side "didn't expect" to make the final in their maiden campaign.
It's the first time Western Australia and the Gems have fielded sides in the championships after a revamp of the format this year.
"It's an amazing feeling to be in the final," Stephens told NRL.com.
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"We had a week to come and prepare for the championships but have jelled really well so this will be great for everyone back home.
"We look at NSW and Queensland as the pinnacle so the tournament has been a great opportunity to play against other states at our level."
Western Australia will go into the clash with the mental edge after beating the Gems 4-0 in the regular rounds.
Among the standouts have included centre Ariana Hira and halfback Kailey Thompson.
Stephens is wary, however, after only playing 20-minute games in the first three days of the tournament, with the final will be played in 20-minute halves.
"It will be a massive difference," Stephens said.
"We definitely have to be on our game. The Gems are a really good side.
"They've got some good names in there and are a really fit group.
"We have to come out firing from the start. We have to work the whole 40."
Gems utility Rikka Lamb said winning the opens championship would be huge for the progression of young Indigenous players coming through the game.
"It will be icing on the cake to take it out," Lamb said.
"We've got a young group of players so it would mean a lot to them and they deserve to be noticed and have a spot in the NRLW teams."
Lamb welcomed the 280 players and football staff to Redcliffe earlier in the week with a welcome to country acknowledgement at the tournament gala dinner.
The introduction of the Indigenous side at the championships is widely viewed as crucial to future participation.
In another special moment, the side welcomed players from other states and territories to a gathering on Friday night as a way of bringing the culture together.
"We love expressing our culture on such a big platform and we've had a lot of support from people with the Gems participating in the Championships," Lamb said.
"It's about including everyone in the game. We're role models in our own communities.
"We had a traditional owner and custodian of the land come and join us on the first night and it was great to have players from other states join us again on Friday.
"We're very privileged to be here and be playing so winning it would mean a lot."
