THE closest Simone Smith has gotten to playing on McDonald Jones Stadium was on the other side of the fence at an Australia-New Zealand match.
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But on February 10 she will run out in front of an expected capacity crowd for the women’s Indigenous All Stars side in the women’s curtain-raiser to the NRL All Stars and Indigenous All Stars match.
And then the Newcastle Knights home ground will become her own home ground in 2017 after she signed with Newcastle in the women’s rugby league competition.
“This year they’re looking to get more on board with the Knights men’s team,” Smith said.
“The goal is to get a Newcastle City Knights women’s team registered and have them the same as the boys.”
Smith played for the Indigenous side in last year’s match on the Gold Coast, but said the match in Newcastle would mean more.
It provided an opportunity for family and friends to make the trip south.
“No matter how many times you get the opportunity it’s always an honour and will always mean a lot to me when I represent my people,” she said.
“It probably means a bit more this year because it’s like a home game.”
As the former Port City Breaker continues to tick things off her bucket list she admitted to having ambitions of representing the Australian women’s team.
Playing in Newcastle will make that goal more achievable.
“It’s been great being at the Breakers, but if I want to go further and make it into the green and gold team, playing in Newcastle will help my game a lot as well as push me up further into selection one day.”
Smith said she would still sign for the Breakers for the 2017 season, although her focus would be on playing in Newcastle.
“My dedication to the game up here and commitment won’t be as strong as games down in Newcastle,” she said.
“But I know the Breakers will always have a place for me to call home if I don’t like the new opportunity.”
It’s a blow to Breakers as they attempt to go back-to-back in the ladies league tag competition, although Smith said it was time to look for a new challenge.
“It is something out of my comfort zone, but so many people have told me I should go down and play in the Sydney comp which will be better for my game,” Smith said.
“I’ve been a part of league tag for a good couple of years and last year was a great year, having an undefeated season and winning the title so I think it’s a good way to finish, but it’s all about trialling new things and getting out of my comfort zone.”
