Dreams do come true as one becomes two for Banu

Essay Banu was hoping for one.

The rugby league gods gave her two.

The Cowboys enforcer had dreamed she would finally score her first NRLW try, and just minutes later, Banu turned that dream into reality twice, helping North Queensland hold off the Dragons 32-28 at Allianz Stadium in Round 8.

“I actually had a dream last night that I scored a try,” Banu told NRL.com.

“I’d be happy with one or two.”

The 24-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys' forward pack since making her NRLW debut in 2023, but scoring had never been part of her job description. In 27 previous games, the PNG powerhouse had never crossed the stripe.

Her first try was a moment she thought might never come.

With the Dragons' defence bunched in the middle, Banu spotted a gap and followed the play.

“I saw the Dragons. They were pretty bunched up, but there was a gap that I saw, and Fordy [Alisha Foord] just scooted and passed me the ball and I thought, ‘OK, I’ve got to get it over here'," she said.

Then came the wait.

The officials went to the bunker to determine whether Banu had managed to ground the ball, leaving the prop nervously watching on as the rest of her teammates waited for the decision.

“I got a bit nervous because the girls weren’t walking back to halfway,” she said.

“I was like, ‘Come on girls, I’ve got this'.

“I looked at the camera like, ‘No’, but I knew deep down I got the ball down.”

The try was awarded. It had taken Banu just 12 minutes to break the drought.

Her second try in the 58th minute came from the kind of hard work that has defined her career. 

“I just worked hard in the kick-chase and I didn’t know whether to jump for it or land on the kick,” she said.

“I saw it drop and got onto it and scored the second one, which was good.”

For Cowboys coach Ricky Henry, it was the perfect reward for a player who never stops working. 

“Essay was awesome, good reward,” Henry said.

“That second try, she’s in every kick chase, happened to be around the ball when it bounced.

“Some great touches and skill to pick it up off the ground. She was brilliant today.”

After reaching the finals for the first time in club history last year, North Queensland have endured a more difficult campaign following the departure of several key players.

But three wins have given the Cowboys fresh belief as they chase a top-six finish.

“It’s been a pretty slow start for us girls with the new team compared to last year,” Banu said.

“But as we’ve got into the season, we’ve gelled, worked out what combination works and we’re taking it game by game.

“There’s belief in the team to keep pushing, taking it game by game, winning and hopefully securing a top six.”

Banu has also embraced a greater leadership role in her fourth season in North Queensland, particularly in the starting front row.

Playing alongside State of Origin forward Makenzie Weale has helped her find another level.

“I’ve had to step up in that forward role for the team, and having Macca as that partner alongside me, she’s really helped me on and off the field to be a better player,” Banu said.

“She’s really good. She’s talking non-stop in attack and defence, she’s just a machine, never stops.

“She really pushes me.”

A Tully Tigers junior, Banu has represented the Indigenous All Stars and made her international debut for the Orchids at the 2022 Women's Rugby League World Cup before joining North Queensland the following year.

Playing in the NRLW as a Cowboy was a dream come true. 

“My family were diehard Cowboys fans and still are diehard fans,” she said.

“But I never thought this pathway would lead me into the Cowboys space.”