Abbi Church has been excelling at fullback for Parramatta this season and has credited the confidence coach Steve Georgallis has instilled in herself for her improvement.
Church is enjoying every moment and it is showing on the field, with the Camden Rams junior shooting to second place on the Dally M leader board after racking up 189 run metres, seven tackle busts and a try in the win against the Cowboys last Sunday.
“Loving this season, loving playing under Georgey," Church said.
"It’s really taken my game to the next level and he really knows how to get the best out of the team, and I think we can see that out on the field."
Church has continued to improve each game this season, including upping her tackle breaks, but it’s her grit and determination to take on the game at full throttle which has seen team leader Kennedy Cherrington sing her praises following Parramatta's Round 3 win.
“Having her out the back; it’s just so much confidence knowing that she backs herself and we trust her to make those really tough carries especially when the middles are running back,” Cherrington said.
“Abbi Church is not only a good person off the field, but she puts her body on the line, and I think for Ab’s, she’s not the biggest on the field, but she has the biggest heart.
“To see her finally get a try, it’s kind of who we are, (it's) in our DNA working hard for one another.
Abbi Church Try
"But I think that goes for everyone across the board, we had a really tough game, a really good game.
“We learnt a few tough lessons last week, those last five minutes we were just trying to switch on and get better every week that comes.”
For Church, who was a part of Eels grand final team two years ago, this season is all about redemption, and proving not only to onlookers, but within the squad that they should be in finals contention this season, after being unable to secure a win last season.
“I think we are hungrier as a team, and I know personally I am. I didn’t like how we finished last year,” Church said.
“We had a lot more to offer then what we did last year so it feels much better to get some points on the board.
“I just want to see us do well as a team.
"I want us to show what we are made of, I think as I said we had a lot to offer last year that we didn’t get to show, and I think as a whole as a group I just want to prove to everyone that we are capable of being up there in the finals”.
The week, the Eels will line up for a battle of the west on Sunday as they take on the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 4 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Eels
3rd Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
