TAMMY Clay has made six retirement speeches at last count.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But an opportunity to help the next wave of talented players make the step up to the Jack Scott Cup was impossible for the powerhouse prop to knock back.
Clay is co-captain of the Hunter Wildfires women's side who are away to Campbelltown on Saturday.
The 47-year-old tighthead has represented NSW Country for 15 years and was part of the Corellas squad which has played Sydney's best in the past two Kerry Chikarovski Cups.
"I came into this program not expecting to play as there is so much talent coming through," Clay said. "But I wanted to make sure they had to push hard for a spot. I wanted them to fight for it. If you fight for it, you will put more into it. That was my thought.
"While I am here, I can pass on a little bit of what I have learned over the past couple of decades. The program is great for our local girls to see what the next step looks like if they want to go further. It's a brilliant learning curve for them."
The Wildfires went down 60-0 to a Wallaroos-laden Sydney University in the season-opener.
"It was a blast," Clay said. "I don't think the scoreline was indicative to how the game felt. We learnt a lot from that game. It's not like local footy. You have to react a little bit quicker and be that little bit stronger. The body shape has to be spot on."
Gun centre Ash Walker is out with a knee injury for the trip to Campbelltown, while coach Adam Dubois has made a host of changes in search of his best combination.
Sian Filipo covers for Walkers at inside centre, Ally Traverso comes in at fly-half and Frances Afeaki drops back to fullback.
Campbelltown should be a step down in class from the Students, but Clay remains wary.
"It depends who shows up for them," Clay said. "Generally speaking, the team is made up players who have represented Illawarra at the Country Championships."
Clay started playing rugby 20 years ago for Mayfield-East and has also played at Wanderers, Merewether and Hamilton.
"After the stint at Merewether I had every intention of hanging them up," she said. "I have done the retirement speech about six times. Then at the start of last year, Gerry Mason rang and said they were looking to put a Hawks team in. That pulled at the heart strings. I had always wanted to play at the Hawks."
Clay's daughter Candice, 27, is also in the squad and played off the bench against the Students.
"She came on at number eights and then moved up to the front-row," Clay said. "We haven't packed together in the front row yet, but there's every chance it will happen."
Hunter Wildfires: 1 Tammy Clay, 2 Skye Lovett, 3 Steph Klimovitch, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Theresa Ngungutau, 6 Annika Jamieson, 7 Kayla Waldron, 8 Janaya Trapman, 9 Peta Salter, 10 Ally Traverso, 11 Mackenzie Young, 12 Sian Filipo, 13 Darcy Gillett, Liz Kennedy, 14 Jorja Holden, 15 Frances Afeaki, 16 Maryann, 17 Candice Clay, 18 Jessica Frost, 19 Kate Holland, 20 Sophie Clancy, 21 Liz Kennedy, 22 Emma Bradford, 23 Anika Butler.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
- Newcastle and Hunter coronavirus testing: full list of drive-through, walk-in and private clinics to test for COVID-19
- NNSW NPL: Adamstown matches first to be called off amid COVID-19 scare
- McDonald Jones Stadium undergoing 'full clean' after confirmed coronavirus case attends Jets game
- Newcastle hockey centre closed as community sport deals with latest COVID-19 cases in region
- Basketball: NBA star Ben Simmons sidelined after discloating knee