BRITNEY Duff was the NSW Country women's player of the year in 2017 and has spent the past two seasons further developing her game with a stint in the Netherlands and at Sydney club Warringah.
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Now she is back playing for Maitland and Hunter coach Will Scully is banking on the halfback to lead a young side to victory at the NSW Country Championships in Tamworth.
"Brit has already had a positive influence with her confidence and talk," Scully said. "She is a really good mentor for the younger players. She takes the time to explain things and break it down for them."
Duff has made the switch from No.8 to halfback and still has aspirations of picking up a Super W contract.
"She was playing No.8 in Sydney but trying to get into the Super W team in front of Grace Hamilton is difficult," Scully said. "She offers us a lot from nine. We have some really exciting young talent."
Hunter, after dominating for more than a decade, finished second to Illawarra on a count back last season.
"Last year was a round robin with no final," Scully said. "We drew with Illawarra and they had a better for and against than we did. This year, there are two more zones which makes it a legitimate championships."
Hunter open their account against Far North Coast and meet Central Coast in the second match. The top teams from each pool meet in the final on Sunday.
"Hopefully everything gels but we are not arrogant to assume that we will automatically be in the final," Scully said.
"Mid North Coast finished third last year. Their competition is developing and they are catching up to us pretty quickly. They will be tough but we have the x-factor in the backs which should be handy against them. Central Coast are an emerging side."
Newcastle: Hayley Amm, Carla Andersen, Emma Bradford, Anika Butler, Madeline Butler, Felicity Carroll, Cassidy Carter, Britney Duff, Stephanie Hayes, Brittany Hunt, Lauren Kelly, Liz Kennedy, Jessie Middlemiss, Lakesha Nathan, Leilani Nathan, Nicole Nathan, Alex Rodgers, Brittni-Rae Sager, Peta Salter, Bec Steel, Tia Tauafao, Leah van Zeeland