The 2024 Championships Women’s Open division concluded in an epic contest between the Sydney Scorpions and UQ Rebels which saw the Queensland side emerge victorious in a drop off. One year later and the division is again stacked with exceptional talent. Featuring some of the sport's brightest stars, here are five players to watch closely this weekend.
Isabella Slattery – Southern Rebels
One of the most dangerous attackers in the sport today, Bella Slattery will play a key role in driving the Rebels’ attack at The Championships. With a blend of quick footwork and clever playmaking, the NSW representative continues to improve with experience. In a standout 2024 season, she made her Athelite Australian Emus debut for the Women’s Open side. Scoring seventeen tries across the week, Isabella’s acceleration and agility proved to be too much to handle for the world’s best Touch Footballers. Heavily involved in her team’s attack, the Eastern Suburbs Touch representative is best known for electric speed and elusive footwork. Now heading into another national campaign for the Southern Sydney region, we’re confident of witnessing another Bella Slats masterclass in Coffs Harbour.
Maggie O’Reilly – Sydney Scorpions
No stranger to representing the Sydney Scorpions, Maggie will be looking to add another national title to the trophy cabinet, after recent success in 2023 (Women’s Open) and 2022 (Women’s 20s) for the NSW region. A dynamic player light on her feet, the Manly Touch representative is an exceptional playmaker with a formidable long ball in her arsenal.Whether she’s controlling the tempo of the game from dummy half or throwing a pearler out to her winger, the NSW Women’s Open representative will be a massive threat on attack for the Scorpions. Ask anyone who has played alongside her, and they’ll attest to Maggie’s commitment as a team player who’s always ready to put in the hard work in the middle of the field. Now back in the famous Scorpions green, expect Maggie to be a key presence on the park throughout this tournament.
Jess Potts – Hunter Western Hornets
Sharp in attack and pivotal in the build-up, Jess Potts will play a significant role in the success of this Hornets outfit. An invaluable teammate, the Australian representative will be crucial to dictating how this side looks with the ball. The Newcastle representative is heading into Coffs Harbour off the back of a strong 12 months on the Touch field, winning Gold for Australia at last year’s Touch World Cup (Mixed Open), and helping them reclaim the Open Trans-Tasman trophy last month in Christchurch. Domestically, her Newcastle side were crowned NSW Touch Association State Cup champions last December, defeating the Eastern Suburbs in the Women’s Open final. Key to organising her side’s attack, the middle is also dangerous on last touch, whether it’s through beating her defender one-on-one or throwing a dime to the wing. Should the Hornets make it deep into this year’s tournament, expect Jess Potts to have a pivotal role.
Tiarni Bryce – UQ Rebels
Athelite Australian Emu #178 Tiarni Bryce returns to the UQ Rebels in 2025, following her heroics in last year’s Grand Final. In the Women's Open final against the Sydney Scorpions, the Queenslander came up clutch scoring the match winning try in drop-off to secure a historic title for the affiliate side. The former Gold Coast Touch junior representative carried that form into July, where she earned Coach’s Award honours for the Athelite Australian Emus Women’s Open side which was crowned world champions. Evasive footwork, marvellous playmaking, and game-changing impact from dummy half, Tiarni is a threat with ball-in-hand from any point on the field. With one of the best left-to-right passes in the game today, and a knack for finding the tryline herself, expect Tiarni Bryce to be a key factor in how the Women’s Open division shapes up.
Chloe Nikola – BMTA Mustangs
Chloe Nikola heads into Coffs Harbour with plenty of momentum, recently earning the Roxy Winder Award for her standout performances at the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup, where she helped lead Australia's Women's 20s side to the championship. A key figure in the team's success, she crossed the line nine times herself throughout the event. The Queenslander is known for her speed, but it's Chloe's defensive skill that sets her apart with her work rate, discipline, and consistency making her one of the most dependable players on the field. Her ability to shut down attacking threats, read the play and make crucial touches under pressures makes her a defensive anchor. Combined with her sharp rucking and tireless support play, Chloe brings balance and stability to any lineup she's part of. Look to her combinations with the likes of Anika Te Namu and sister Charli to elevate the Mustangs attack this tournament.
The Championships tap off Friday May 30th in Coffs Harbour. The Championships are available to watch live and free on Kayo Sports in Australia, on Sky Sport in New Zealand and Sky Sports Next in all other global territories.
