Chelsea Makira had a busy representative and club season in 2023, which augurs well for what might come in 2024.
She had the No.7 jersey for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their agonising four-point loss to the Sydney Roosters in the Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final last April.
She may have only scored once herself in the NSWRL’s Under 19s competition but the 15 try assists in eight games gives you an idea of Makira’s support play.
The Bulldogs remained undefeated throughout the regular season taking the Minor Premiership from the Roosters – equal on 18 competition points – through a better record in attack.
"It was one of the best (seasons) and I'm so happy that I got to play with these girls," Makira told bulldogs.com.au
"It was hard emotionally and physically, but I felt like our team had the most heart. It's disappointing that we fell just short and we couldn't hold the Roosters out, they were a really strong team.”
In May, Makira was back in the winners’ circle as hooker for NSW City Under 19s in their 26-8 win over NSW Country.
In July it was up to Dolphins Stadium in Redcliffe where Makira was again No.9 for the NSW Under 19s State of Origin side, scoring two of her team’s three tries.
Rep duties were still not over for Makira, who made her international debut with the Cook Islands scoring the opening try in the 28-20 loss to the PNG Orchids in October at the Pacific Championships.
