Players to Watch at The Championships: Mixed Open

From debuting teams to traditional powerhouses – there are several legitimate title contenders in a stacked Mixed Open division at The Championships. Here are some of the key players to keep an eye on this weekend on the fields. 

Patricia Michaelopoulos – Sydney Mets 

Rapid and agile, Patricia brings elite Touch Football experience to this Sydney Mets outfit, as well as an abundance of attacking threats. Her 34 tries in 33 Australian appearances is clear evidence of her attacking ability, with her flashy footwork and acceleration proving difficult to handle at any level of the game. 

She’s no stranger to the Mixed Touch format either, having earned two World Cup medals at Opens level in as many attempts, and now vying for a third this July in England. Look to Patricia to add to her 44 tries at national level as she returns for another national tournament. 

Roy Prasad – Southern Rebels  

Touch Football enthusiasts will be all too familiar with Roy Prasad’s game, with the NSW representative boasting 97 tries to his name at the annual event. A difficult player to handle, Roy has also crossed the line 30 times for Australia, representing them in the Mixed division at Opens and 30s level. His proudest moment came arguably in the 2019 World Cup final, scoring in his sides’ victory over the Cook Islands. 

Crucial to this Rebels’ outfit, Prasad’s attacking ability has only gotten better with age, as his experience in the big moments shows in his calming presence. A commanding figure on the field, Prasad is no stranger to the try line himself, yet can also dictate the attack in a manner which allows his teammates to shine. Roy Prasad will be a key player to watch next weekend, as he looks to attain his tenth national title. 

Zara Nicholas – Sydney Scorpions 

After contributing to the Scorpions’ dominant showing last year in the Women’s Open, Zara Nicholas returns to the Mixed Open side in 2024. A highly decorated player at each level of the game, Zara has long been an unsung hero in Touch Football. 

Her elite defensive ability is a difference maker in any team she represents. The Australian Mixed Open representative’s attacking threat is not anything to take lightly either, as she doesn’t make many mistakes when close to the line. Look no further than her 2019 World Cup campaign for proof of this, where she set the field alight with 29 tries to her name. Look to her to add to her 22 tries at Opens level at Coffs Harbour this weekend. 

Justin Otto – Coolum Bluefins 

A highly experienced player, Justin Otto heads to The Championships with the Coolum Bluefins for the first time ever. The Queenslander is electrifyingly fast, with his bursts of pace leaving the opposition in the dust. Combined with a natural ability with ball in hand, and high Touch Footy IQ, Justin is an exciting talent of the game and will likely dictate how his side plays this weekend. 

The timing and deception around his short-ball game is second to none. As he looks to set to compete for the Australian Senior Mixed team at this year’s Touch World Cup in England, look to Justin Otto to make an impact in the Mixed Open division. 

Amy Dufour – Hunter Western Hornets 

A decorated player amongst her peers, Amy Dufour is set for another exciting Coffs Harbour campaign. The NSW middle has a strong running game, and difficult to match in speed once she reaches full acceleration. Her speed doesn’t end with her running game, as the Novocastrian can also change the game on a dime with an excellent long pass to her repertoire. 

She has also shown a high Touch Footy IQ, with her intelligence and ability to think on her feet only getting better with more big game experience. With two World Cup Gold Medals (one Youth and one Opens) to her name, Amy will be looking to add a national title to her trophy cabinet alongside a stacked Hornets lineup.