'Holds her own': Prior's rise no surprise to Kimmorley

Ebony Prior may be pint-sized but she’s powerful, with the Wests Tigers hooker rewarding the faith placed in her by head coach Brett Kimmorley.

The 20-year-old marked her maiden NRLW game, in a team making its competition debut, with a commanding performance as the Wests Tigers thumped last year’s grand finalists Parramatta 36-8 in Round 1 on Sunday. 

One of the keys to that win was Prior’s 23 tackles – second highest in her team – nine dummy-half runs for 93 metres and two tackle-busts in her 61 minutes on the field.

“It’s her first game of NRLW and we started her. We had Sophie (Curtain) there too as the other dummy-half in rotation, but we elected to start Ebony,” Kimmorley said.

“She rewarded us today for that decision – she was very good. I bet people look at her and think they’ll run at her but she tackles great. She defends the house down.

“She’s also an outstanding passer of the ball from dummy half, which is important in getting our shapes on.

“I tell everyone that while she isn’t big in stature, she can certainly hold her own in toughness.”

Prior is also a Wests Tigers home-grown product having been a member of the 2022 Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership winning team, all while still a teenager.

“Ebony is such an under-rated player. She’s definitely been in the ranks for quite some time but overlooked a bit,” said Tigers NRLW assistant coach Taiana Waddell-Scanlan.

“She’s worked her backside off and definitely is judged by her size – but man, she’s tough. She’s earned a spot in our team and earned the right to play starting hooker.”

Waddell-Scanlan smiles at the suggestion many would have told Prior she was too small for rugby league.

“Maybe … but not from inside our house. She’s one of the big personalities among the team,” she said.

“Ebony is such a strong character that she never lets her size faze her. She’s very positive – it’s footy first, size second.

“Her passing game is unreal and you can see with her perception and vision of the game she does have a touch football background,” Waddell-Scanlan said.

“She gets that roll-on and is all over any quick play-the-balls. It’s been so amazing to see her transition from touch, to tag, to tackle, and now to the NRLW.

“I’m excited to see how far she goes for the rest of the season.”