Youth to shine in SEQW

With State of Origin representatives and members of the NRL Elite Women's Squad unavailable, this weekend's round of SEQW fixtures is an opportunity for the youth of the competition to stand up and be noticed.

Souths Magpies, who take on Wests Panthers on Sunday, have four players representing Queensland in the inaugural Holden Women's State of Origin.

Annette Brander, Meg Ward, Steph Hancock and Frieda Faulato Seu, who just 12 months ago was playing third division, will all line up for Queensland on Friday night.

"You're always encouraging your players to go to another level and we're very proud of the players who have been given the opportunity to represent their state," Magpies coach Rob Brough said.

"It's a wonderful achievement. To walk out there in a Maroon jersey is enormous. We wish them all the very best and we're extremely proud of their achievements."

While those four will fly the flag for Souths tonight, the entire playing group has pulled together over the last two months to rocket into finals contention.

With three wins, two draws and just one loss in their last six games, the Magpies sit in fifth spot, just two-points adrift of Brother's Ipswich in fourth.

Brough said that he has been pleased with the way his relatively young and inexperienced side has improved week-to-week after a slow start to the season.

"We had a group of new players and we needed to find our way and work out where people fit in and they've responded terrifically, and we've played some better footy in the last month," he said.

"Their attitude has never been in question, but we've got players that have never played before. We've got a young girl that has come out of Queensland hockey who had a tremendous game last weekend. We've got other girls who have come out of AFL and union and different backgrounds and they're very young. Our player of the match last week was a 17-year-old.

"We've worked hard, like all other teams, I just think those younger players and those players new to the game are starting to get a better feel for the way the game is played, and they are responding accordingly.

"Those sorts of things are an ongoing learning process, but the attitude, the energy and the passion of the place couldn't be better. If that continues, perhaps we put some pressure on some of the better sides."

Both the Magpies and Panthers come into Sunday's clash on the back of good wins. The Magpies defeated Toowoomba 38-16 while the Panthers knocked over Brother's Ipswich 32-12.

The Panthers sit in third while the Magpies are fifth. Kick-off is at 1pm this Sunday afternoon at Davies Park.

Elsewhere in Round 12 action, the Easts Tigers host Toowoomba and Burleigh travel to Brother's Ipswich.

SEQW Division 1 Round 12

Easts Tigers v Toowoomba - Saturday, June 23 at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park. 3pm

Brother's Ipswich v Burleigh Bears - Sunday, June 24 at Blue Ribbon Motors Field. 12pm

Souths Magpies v Wests Panthers - Sunday, June 24 at Davies Park. 1pm

* All fixtures, standings and results for all three divisions of South East Queensland women's rugby league competitions