Parramatta star Abbi Church has revealed she might not leave Accor Stadium with a premiership ring if her Eels upset Newcastle in today’s NRLW grand final.
Church is giving genuine thought to sacrificing her own personal success and giving her ring to teammate Tiana Penitani, who was ruled out of the decider with injury.
The Eels centre missed the shock semi-final win over the Sydney Roosters, but was originally named on an extended bench for today’s clash.
She gave herself every chance to play but couldn’t overcome the muscle tear in time.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The injury opened the door for Church to return to the starting side for the first time since round one, and she played through busted ribs to upstage Jillaroos star Jess Sergis.
Church would love nothing more than to win a premiership with Parramatta after their 0-4 start to the season, but there’s every chance she’ll pass on the ring to Penitani.
“It’s something that I’ve thought about and something that I’ve really considered because she’s been there all season and she’s earned that as our co-captain,” Church told The Sunday Telegraph.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about but I haven’t told her yet, so let’s keep it a secret.
“‘T’ has been incredible.
“I said to her, ‘Please keep talking to me’, because I wanted to learn as much as I could. I just asked her what she wanted from me and what the team needed out of that position.
“She’s been unreal as a role model and a support for me. She told me to back myself, and hopefully I made her proud because she’s as tough as they come.”
Church’s generosity should come as no surprise given what she does off the field.
When she’s not playing footy, Church does 12-hour shifts as a paramedic. The job comes with some harrowing moments that can be hard to stomach.
MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS
WHERE IS EELS’ 09 TEAM NOW? Cult hero still playing; half turned wine guru
NRL GF LIVE: All the latest ahead of Panthers vs Eels decider
Eels keen to stick to routine before GF | 02:16
But Church says the positives outweigh the tough stuff, including being called on to deliver a newborn baby just months into her career.
“It’s the best job in the world, besides footy,” she said.
“I’m passionate about it and I love it.
“You are there in people’s most vulnerable moments. You get the opportunity to be the shining light in someone’s day. It’s not all bad stuff that you see on TV. There are so many highlights on the road.
“I was given the privilege in my trainee year to deliver a baby. While you do get the worst end of the spectrum at times, you also get to see new life come in. That’s really special.
“It wasn’t the plan to deliver the baby.
“It was one of those moments where as soon as you walk through the door, you know it’s happening then and there. For the mum, it was her first time, and it was my first time as well so it was really special for both of us.
Eels complete captain’s run on home soil | 04:06
“I work around where I live, and I walked in to get a coffee and I actually saw the lady with the little boy who was all grown up and was a toddler.
“That was pretty cool and something I’ll never forget.”
Parramatta snuck into the finals despite winning just one of their regular season, before going on to upset reigning premiers the Roosters in the semi-final. They will led by veteran skipper Simaima Taufa and breakout star Gayle Broughton.
The Knights, meanwhile, have a shot at completing arguably the biggest turnaround the league’s short history by going from wooden spoon to the premiership.
Off the back of a well-documented recruitments splurge that included star duo Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton, the new-look side won four of five in the regular season.
They then put St George Illawarra to the sword last week, winning 30-6.
