Harden Hawkettes Emma James and Clare Smith took part in the NSW Rugby League Opens Blues Tag carnival on the Central Coast with Emma stepping up as the captain of the side. After a huge season on the pitch for the Hawkettes the ladies were selected to play for the Blues and travelled to the Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex at Tuggerah where they played four rounds before winning in the semi-final and the grand final. Blues Tag is an inclusive style of Rugby League with the girls playing for the Monaro side along with fellow George Tooke Shield players Jessica Crowe (Gunghalin Bulls), Jayde Della (Crookwell She Devils), Rachel Grocott (Gungahlin), Maddison Harney (Belconnen), Karina Hewlett (Woden), Maddeline Hyland (Gungahlin), Keesha Kapea (Woden), Grace Marshall (Goulburn), Emma McDonald (Woden), Andie McTavish (Cootamundra), Teagan Pateman (Bungendore), Elana Sliwinski (Woden), Georgia Smith (Gungahlin), Alicia Trevethan (Woden) and Caitlin Turnbull (Gungahlin). Coach for the side was Darren Grocott from the Gungahlin Bulls. "Clare Smith and myself played in the event I was the captain," Emma said. "Georgia Smith was also selected all being a part of the Harden Hawkettes but unfortunately was unable to participate due to an injury she picked up in the recent George Tooke grand final." Clare, thanks to her outstanding performance throughout the weekend was also awarded the Player of the Tournament. In the first round the Monaro side went up against Central Coast and took the win 12-10, in the second round Monaro smashed Cronulla 22-10. The ladies had a bye in the third round and defeated the Woodbridge Cup (Western) side 50-0. In the final round ahead of the finals the ladies went up against Newcastle, which ended up in a 10-all draw. In the semi-final Monaro had an easy win going up against Cronulla again and defeating them 16-0. In the grand final the Monaro side faced off against Newcastle and managed to bring home the win and lock themselves in as being undefeated winning 12-6.
