Queensland fullback Tamika Upton swept all earlier than her in 2023, a yr during which she introduced herself as the very best participant within the ladies’ recreation.
However the Newcastle star insists she is simply warming up.
Forward of recreation one of many ladies’s State of Origin sequence at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday evening, the 27-year-old instructed AAP there may be loads of enchancment nonetheless to come back.
She additionally mirrored on her biggest problem: studying to run once more after a again fracture, and the way the setback proved the making of her as a participant.
Final yr, Upton received the NRLW’s Dally M Medal and was participant of the match within the grand remaining for the premiership-winning Knights, scoring two tries.
She was additionally a member of the Maroons facet that received the State of Origin sequence, and made her debut for Australia.
It’s onerous to think about topping such a standout season, however Upton refuses to relaxation on her laurels.
“I’ve heaps of areas of enchancment. I need to get higher as a pacesetter and a communicator, and heaps of issues on the sector,” she stated.
“I’m fairly in-tune with the group in Newcastle, however I can take it to a different stage in (Queensland) camps like this.
“That’s all about studying extra about every participant and every recreation plan.
“The fullback locks up each defensive position and that’s my focus each recreation, and to assist the women out on the again.”
Upton’s ball operating, recreation sense and silky abilities are her trademark. When she carries the ball to the road she appears to slip previous defenders with ease.
However there was nothing simple about her return to play for Brisbane after a prolonged rehabilitation course of in 2020.
“I had 5 – 6 months off after a pars fracture in my again and needed to get again and learn to run once more,” she stated.
“My method wasn’t the very best. From that have I discovered preparation and restoration – and a lot about myself that I nonetheless use now.
“I look again and assume that if that didn’t occur, I wouldn’t have the data I do now about be a greater athlete.”
Upton, who has received two NRLW titles with the Knights and two with the Broncos, has a real love of the sport and her teammates.
“I look again on the success final yr, not from a person perspective, however with the group – in Newcastle, Queensland, after which after I made my debut for the Jillaroos,” she stated.
“It was a whirlwind, however all of the onerous work that was put in in the beginning of the season got here to gentle.
“I’m just about at that time once more and I’m able to go once more.
“We now have had a great preparation right here in Queensland up to now and we’ll hold that going via the week.
“We’re very excited to expire at Suncorp for the primary time in a ladies’s Origin recreation.”
© AAP
