Kelly eager for Hall combo after years of rivalry

Three years on from being part of one of the uglier on-field incidents in the NRLW, Isabelle Kelly is looking forward to playing on the same side as Kiwi international Amber Hall in 2023.

The pair were involved in a nasty tackle in 2020 when Hall pulled Kelly’s hair before producing a hip-drop tackle that injured her ankle while she was playing for the Dragons.

Hall was fined and suspended for one match while Kelly managed to get herself right for an Origin game a month later in November.

The Roosters announced the signing of Hall, one of the most imposing figures in the women’s game, alongside prized recruits Millie Boyle, Tarryn Aiken and Keeley Davis with the quartet set to be unveiled against the Broncos on Saturday.

“We’re all good now, that’s footy and unfortunately that stuff happens,” Kelly told NRL.com when asked if all had been forgiven.

“When I heard she was coming I was so pumped and thought I don’t have to worry about tackling her anymore.

"It’s not fun to try and take her down. She’s got that aggressiveness in her game but you can’t teach that so having that in the team this year will be huge.”

Aiken, who follows Hall from the Broncos to Bondi on a one-year deal, said on Wednesday she expects the barnstorming forward to reach new heights at her hew club.

"I've never seen her train so hard so it will be exciting to see her play hard and play alongside her," Aiken said.

"The change of scenery has really helped her get out of her comfort zone and playing under 'Strangey' will really help her build her game."

Aiken has been on the Roosters watchlist since she came onto the NRLW scene at the Broncos in 2019.

The chance to be part of a Roosters side that is expected to play differently under John Strange this year while the attraction to link with Kelly and the likes of Jillaroos teammates Jess Sergis and Keeley Davis proved too good to pass up.

"It’s been a little work in progress to get here. I was pretty loyal for a while at Brisbane but thought it was time for a change to take my game to the next level,” Aiken said.

"That was the main attraction and being able to work with Strangey. He’s a very smart guy and it will be different to most teams in how we’re going to attack but that’s exciting and a big development in the women’s game."

The Roosters will need to overcome being tagged as premiership heavyweights before a ball has been kicked after being labelled the favourites to take out the 2023. 

Strange's squad went through undefeated during the regular rounds last season before being upset by the Eels in the semi-finals.

"We've got no issue with that [favourites] tag," Strange said.

"We've embraced that and already spoken about it. 

There's an expectation from myself, the staff and playing group that we do win every game.

Roosters coach John Strange

"We're not shying away from it. We're confident but also there's some other good squads out there as well.

"The Broncos have recruited well so it's going to be a tough game."