Dragons’ Albert in running for a gong

ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons prop Elsie Albert is in the running to be the first National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) player to be named as the first female athlete of the year of the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Sports Awards.
The 2021 NRLW runner-up has been shortlisted with jumps athlete Rellie Kaputin and veteran Olympic weightlifter Dika Toua.
The presentation of the awards, of which The National is the official print media partner, will be made in Port Moresby tomorrow night.
It has been a tough journey for the 26-year-old after she left Papua New Guinea in early 2020 to pursue her rugby league career in Australia.
Albert signed with Souths Logan Magpies in Queensland’s premier women’s rugby league competition.
Although the Coronavirus pandemic had affected the competition, Albert persevered with her dream.
After her impressive stint with the Magpies, she made her break through into NRLW when the Dragons signed her in September, 2020.
Unfortunately, for Albert, her Dragons campaign in the 2020 season ended poorly as they recorded no wins across the five-week season.
But her performances in the deferred 2021 season, which ended with her first grand final appearance in April this year, was what had earned her the shortlisting for the award, which will be presented at Crowne Hotel.
Albert suffered another setback in 2021 when the Queensland Rugby League Women’s Premiership was delayed due to the pandemic.
But the national women’s rugby league team skipper remained in PNG for most of the year before she reunited with the Dragons towards the end 2021 for the pre-season.
Last season, which kicked off in February, saw Albert play her best rugby league yet as club legend and coach Jamie Soward’s Saints went within a whisker of winning the NRLW premiership.
The lost 4-16 to the Sydney Roosters in the grand final at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
Nevertheless, she caught the NRLW by a storm with bruising hits and powerful runs all season.
Albert’s highlight reels went viral as she continued to gain admiration among fans from PNG and abroad.
The Southern Highlander capped of a memorable season when she was named as the joint Dragons player of the year alongside fullback Emma Tonegato.
Should Albert win the award, it would continue to encourage sportswomen to pursue their dreams in any arena.