Parkes Spacecats take on Dubbo Cyms

Coach Joe Spicer said he and co-coach Nat Gardiner are thrilled for their team.

“Natty and myself couldn't be prouder or happier for these girls, they have worked so hard to where they are now,” Joe said.

“They are stoked to be representing the club on the biggest day of footy for the year, and really want to play for the jumper, their families and the community.

“With only four returning players from last year's victorious team, we started round 1 with the goal that we would improve every single week, and look to play our best game of the season in the last game of the year.

“We are very motivated to do that this Sunday. They are such a wonderful group of lifelong friends.”

Position: Fullback

Age: 19

Occupation: Service NSW and hospitality

Years playing league tag: 3

Fave NRL Team: N/A

Fave NRL Player: Nat Gardiner

Future Player: Tilly Gardiner

Dream Job: Bounty Hunter or maybe Judge Judy

Fave Food: Tacos (pronounced (TaRcos)

Biggest Pest: Paige or T, depends on the day

Biggest Inspiration: Dave Cooper and I guess the girls

Fullback. Captain. Warrior. Claire was one of the inaugural Spacecats in 2015 and has been instrumental in getting the Cats to the final game every season. While she is often remembered for the dramatic field goal that decided last years finale, her leadership, communication skills and ability to inspire her teammates has been crucial in driving this young group towards success.

Position: Wing

Age: 19

Occupation: Retail

Years of league tag: First 

Fave NRL team: Melbourne 

Fave NRL player: Cameron Munster

Dream Job: Sports Manager

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced taRcos)

Biggest pest in the team: Lexie

Biggest inspiration: Erin Dwyer

Possibly underwent the greatest transformation of any player this season. Started training in January and communicated through a variety of smiles and giggles- fast forward 6 months and Beth has become the best communicator on the field and her ability to diffuse an opposition kicking game is second to none. Will compete til the final whistle

Position: Centre

Age: 16

Years of league tag: First

Occupation: student 

Favorite NRL team: Parramatta 

Favorite NRL player: Nathan Cleary

Dream job: Physiotherapist

Fave food: Lasagna 

Biggest pest in the team: Spice 

Biggest inspiration: Sally Pearson.

An absolute Ferrari out wide. Scintillating youngster who has to play juniors prior to seniors, Indy has amassed 7 tries in 3 finals matches thus far. Lethal on the end of kicks or waltzing her own way in to space, she is actually a better defender than attacker! The sky is the limit for this first year player with strong touch footy pedigree. If this kid is smiling, Parkes don't lose. Backs up for the junior GF next week, possibly the last of her 700 winter sporting commitments.

#4 Lauren Chester 

Age: 16

Position: Centre 

Occupation: Student 

Years of league tag: first

Fave NRL team: St George 

Fave NRL player: Shaun Johnson

Dream Job: Police officer 

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced TaRcos)

Biggest pest in the team: Erin Dwyer

Inspiration: Joe Spicer

Freak at everything. Head hunted by the coach straight out of school sport, Lozzie is one of the key players for Parkes this weekend. Oozing class and skill, Loz will defend strongly on one side of the ball while finishing off opportunities on the otherside. More likely to be carried than walk off.

Age: 16

Position: Wing

Occupation: Student

Years playing league tag: two

Favorite NRL team: Broncos

Favorite NRL player: Corey Parker and Matt Scott

Dream job: IDK I just want to finish school

Biggest pest in the team: Erin Dwyer just wants to be like me but she's just not good enough

Inspiration: Claire Barber

The first of our returning players from last years grand final, Em still has to play junior footy on Saturdays to qualify for Sundays. Daughter of legendary international rah rah player and Spacemen icon Heamani, Em will be out to defend her premiership from last year before captaining the u16s team next week in their grand final. A wonderful kid, Em deserves all her success but she will be out their working her hardest to earn it.

Position: half

Age: 19

Occupation: retail

Years playing league tag: First

Fave NRL team: Parramatta 

Fave NRL player: James Maloney

Dream job: Trophy wife

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced TaRcos) or a sneaky cheeseburger 

Biggest pest in the team: Erin Dwyer

Biggest inspiration: Mum and Dad

2017 finals standout, Paige has shown time and time again the balance of composure and flair required to play in the halves. With speed to burn and an astute kicking game, Pep has transferred her touch footy skill across to tag and exceeded all expectations defensively and with her organisational ability. Definitely a player to watch for the full 50min. And the evening that follows.

Position: Half 

Age: 17

Occupation: Student 

Years playing league tag: 3

Fave NRL team: The bunnies

Fave NRL player: don't really have one

Dream job: PT

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced TaRcos)

Biggest pest in the team: Claire Barber

Biggest inspiration: My brother

It took about 60 seconds for T to turn heads and drop jaws at training this year.... and that was the first grade boys! T came across from the mighty Condo Rams this season and instantly become a Spacies favorite, making her a more popular export than Shannon Noll. Rarely has a Spacemen half moved so silky over the ground, while her timing and ability to put teams mates in to space is unparalleled in group 11. Good odds for 1 chip and chase, this absolute star has 2 towns behind her this Sunday.

Position: Middle/Hooker

Age: 19

Years playing league tag: First

Occupation: Retail

Fave NRL team: Broncos

Fave NRL player: Sam Thaiday

Dream job: Midwife, physio, or just marry a rich hubby

Fave food: Spinach cob loaf

Biggest pest in the team: Paige is most definitely the biggest standout

Who inspires you the most: My parents

After moving away at the start of the year, Ez returned to town and expressed an interest in trying out leaguetag. With a surname synonymous with footy in Parkes and a touch footy background, we thought Ez might go ok. What we got is a hugely competitive gun with outstanding knowledge of the game, a tremendous work ethic and instinctual positional play. Ez has brought wonderful things to the team culture and will no doubt walk off the field with nothing else to give.

Position: Hooker

Age: 19

Occupation: Retail

Years playing league tag: 3

Fave NRL Team: Warriors

Fave NRL player: Tyson Firzell

Dream Job: Police Officer

Fave Food: Cob loaf, Tacos (pronounced TaRcos) and Kylie Dwyer’s caramel slice

Biggest Pest: Erin when you mention TaRcos

Inspiration: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

Inspirational leader within the team, at 19 years young Sami has nearly played in every Spacecats game ever since the age of 16. Arguably the biggest motor in the completion Sami relentlessly repels the defence by owning the middle third of the field while her service from dummy half is impeccable. In her last Spacecats game before heading off to uni and joining with the Yass Magpies, the whole town will shout her a Canteen Voucher should she lead the Cats to back to back triumphs. Spacecats immortal.

Position: Middle

Age: Still a youngen’

Occupation: Hair Technician

Years playing league tag: 5

Fave NRL Team: Parramatta

Fave NRL Player: Semi Radradra

Dream Job: Be so rich I don’t have to work again

Fave Food: Hot chips

Biggest Pest in the team: Pepa Hay

Biggest Inspiration: Joss Cleal

The glue of the team. When Joss came to Parkes to play last season, Parkes got more than what they bargained for with Demi bringing a wealth of speed and experience from the strong group 9 competition. Moving in field from the wing this season, she has whole-heartedly competed for every minute and could not do anymore for her teammates if she tried. A key player for Sunday, Demi is as Spacemen as they come and has more pride in her jersey than any other player in the competition. Also great friends with referees.

Occupation: Teacher 

Age: The oldest

Years playing league tag: six

Fave NRL team: The Roosters

Fave NRL player: Brad fittler

Dream job: Chocolate consultant 

Fave food: Chocolate bullets/croissant/anything chocolate 

Biggest pest in the team: injuries and illness

Inspiration: Pete Maher

With a young team on the books, it was an absolute blessing to have an experienced player like Bel to fall in to the Spacies lap. Having moved to town for partner (and waterboy) Pete's work, she has immersed herself in Parkes footy, having coached the u16s girls from winless last season to first into the GF this week! With experience in the strong group 20 and 10 comps, Bel will be an integral part of the leadership and go forward on Sunday.

Position: Middle 

Age: 16

Years of league tag: two

Occupation: Student

Favorite NRL team: Souths 

Favorite NRL player: Aaron Woods

Dream job: Aviator

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced tacKos)

Biggest pest in the team: Lauren Chester

Inspiration: Demi-Joyce Winter 

The junior and senior clubs are extremely proud of Lexie, as she is the first full time graduate from the jnr tag team last year in to the senior team. A no nonsense player who gets her job done with out fuss, Lexie is cousins with Parkes product and soon to be Aust rep Talesha Quinn, so footy is in the blood. Lexie will probably spend halftime studying for her exams the next day.

Position: Middle/Hooker/Centre/Wing

Age: 16

Occupation: Student 

Years playing league tag: First

Fave NRL team: Melbourne Storm

Fave NRL player: Johnathan Thurston 

Dream job: to be rich enough not to work

Favorite food: Tacos (pronounced taRcos)

Biggest pest in the team: Lexie Ward

Inspiration: Joe Spicer 

A hugely popular figure within the team due to her wisdom on all aspects of life, Hannah has developed into a defensive machine with the ability to move the ball around too. Her versatility allows her to make an impact in numerous areas of the field while her dedication to improving and giving her best in all facets of life has certainly shone through with the Cats.

Position: Middle/Centre/Wing/Fullback

Years of league tag: First

Occupation: Student/runs a karaoke bar

Fave NRL team: Parramatta 

Fave NRL player: Joe Spicer

Dream job: Food Taster

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced taRcos)

Biggest pest in our team: Hannah Noakes

Inspiration: Claire Barber

Coming from a high level representative background in Basketball and particularly Netball, Alice has squeezed in games around training and games in Sydney this season. Versatile, Alice's long frame plugs up many holes in D and her 100% committed running style makes her an awkward counterpart for opponents. Coming off the bench, she will inject fire and energy after the first 15 minutes

Position: Middle

Years played: first

Occupation: teacher

Fave NRL team: Dragons

Favorite NRL player: Gareth Widdop

Dream job: Female wellbeing activist 

Fave food: Tacos (pronounced TaRcos)

Biggest pest in team: Joe Spicer

Inspiration: Allana Ferguson 

Easily one of the fittest players in the comp, Katie will run like a lunatic all day and brings a huge amount of tenacity despite her small stature. Arriving in town this year, the Orange native with Parkes ties has been instrumental in defence and will probably go for 2 jogs after the game Sunday.

Years playing league tag: First

Job: Teacher

Position: Wing

Daniela came on on-board mid season and has been an enthusiastic learner coming from a soccer background. Living in Parkes for the first time this year aftef securimg a job locally.