Local hero Pearson pumped as Magic show hits town

The Pearson family and friends are on the move to make their presence felt at Wagga Wagga’s Geohex Park to watch hometown hero Rachael Pearson lead the Eels against the Knights in Magic Round. 

Wagga Wagga-born but raised in nearby Hay, Pearson is truly in her element and believes the arrival of 12 NRLW teams to the area containing Origin and International stars “super special”. 

“Obviously I’m from the Riverina and lived my whole childhood out in Hay,” Pearson said. 

“So for 12 teams to bring NRLW games with fans right on the fence there... I’ve played a few games there at Geohex Park there in Group 20 (NSWRL competition). 

“It’s a great community. Wagga Wagga is one of the biggest inland towns and regions – everything is there that you could want and everyone loves their footy.

“All the junior clubs and pathways are very strong in both Wagga and the surrounding areas of Leeton, Hay, Yanko, Griffith as well. Some might be now thinking of playing in the NRLW. 

“It will be super special that we’re coming to them – we’ll be on their doorstep. 
“They just have to drive down the road... you can’t be what you can’t see and some of these girls have NRLW players as their idols.  

“I think for young girls to see that over two full days of footy and maybe get a photo and a signature with them... awesome. 

“It’s very motivating for me too. I’ll have a lot of family and friends there on the hill and in the seats."

The Eels meet the Knights in the final Magic Round game on Sunday afternoon with kick-off at 3.15pm. 

After having 50 points put on them by the Titans in Round 3, Parramatta revived their season with a close 14-12 loss to the Warriors in Round 4 last Sunday. 

“It was a close result and obviously our start was a lot better,” Pearson said. 

“Our effort areas and getting into the grind was also better as we held them out for a long time before getting some points on the board through some individual brilliance by Abbi Church. 

“I think we can lift off the back of that performance.” 

The former NSW Origin halfback was a late bloomer to the NRLW joining the Dragons three years after the competition began for her maiden season in 2021 at the age of 27. 

She is now a qualified mechanical fitter-and-turner and into her sixth NRLW season, her fourth with the Eels under coach Steve Georgallis.