RUGBY LEAGUE
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Women's rugby league will take centre stage on Saturday as the Illawarra Rugby League celebrates the "Women in League" round with a double header at Noel Mulligan Oval.
The Women in League round traditionally focused on women's roles off the paddock but league manager Chris Bannerman said it was an ideal stage on which to celebrate the wealth of playing talent in the Women in the Army Illawarra League.
"It's a great celebration of not only women's roles in the game but, for us, a celebration of women's rugby league," he said.
Second-placed Corrimal will be looking to bounce back from a last-start loss to Port Kembla in their match with Berkeley at 1pm before league leaders Helensburgh face the Blacks at 2pm.
The round could clear some congestion on the ladder with Helensburgh yet to drop a game, while the other three sides all sit at one win apiece.
Corrimal's Jackie Percy said the ladder congestion is indicative of the closeness of the rejigged four-team competition.
"Ideally we'd like to have more teams but I think now we've dropped down to four teams, the players that wanted to keep playing have joined other teams and that's definitely boosted the standard of the competition, " Percy said.
She said the double-header was a great chance to showcase women's contribution to the game.
"I think the last few years it's [women in league] more publicised and that's awesome for us.
"Not just us as players but also the women who participate in the league, managers in the canteen.
"It's great that they get that recognition and here we have the Dragons who really lead the publicity race."
Bannerman also said the women's league grand final will hold a marquee spot on a triple header on August 30, along with the under 17s and Illawarra Coal Shield finals.