Souths Logan Magpies star Meg Ward and fiancée Natassja Purontakanen have been keeping busy during these past few weeks, with their competitive natures getting a thorough workout.
Both are members of the Souths Logan Magpies BHP Premiership squad, with Ward moving into a new position in Round 1 where she played as five-eighth in the team’s win over the Seagulls.
While Purontakanen is yet to make her BHP Premiership debut, she is excited to push for a place in the team next season.
“I’m really excited to learn a new game and new skills, I loved watching Meg play last year and I’m excited to play alongside her,” Purontakanen said.
“We pre-seasoned together at Souths and it made me super excited for the season, the girls were all so welcoming and helpful and the club has a great vibe that you want to be a part of.”
While Ward has also been making sure she is doing everything required to overcome a neck injury – “I have been videoing the physio and keeping on top of all my physio and weirdly enjoying it and training” – she also found some time with Purontakanen to tackle their ‘Fast five’ questions challenge.
Fast five with Meg Ward and Natassja Purontakanen
Football family – does anyone else in your family play? Who and with which team?
Ward: Zakky my nephew is carving up for the Aspley Devils Rugby League Under 8 team.
Purontakanen: Rolan, my brother, used to play for Redcliffe Dolphins as a kid and that’s what made me want to play footy. I just wanted to do whatever he was doing.
Favourite footy memory?
Ward: I get asked this one a bit and there’s three that always come to mind. Winning the World Cup with my Jillaroos family. Being a part of the first NRLW competition and making history with the Brisbane Broncos NRLW side and of course, getting to take the field with the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons for the first official State Of Origin, and being a part of taking the game to another level thanks to all those who played before us and continued to build the game.
Purontakanen: Making my debut for the Queensland Reds in our trial match against Fiji. It was such an amazing experience to run out in front of all my family and friends and one I’ll cherish forever.
Fashion – what’s the most worn item in your wardrobe?
Ward: I have NO fashion at all. The most worn item would definitely be my footy shorts. All about comfort and you can’t go past the comfort of a good pair of footy shorts.
Purontakanen: Meg’s footy shorts. One of the benefits of being together is we share our wardrobe (mainly me wearing Meg’s clothes).
Fitness tips – any favourite exercises or tips for staying motivated?
Ward and Purontakanen: We love our chocolate, so to earn it we have to work out; that’s our motivation, haha. Thanks to (Burleigh Bears forward) Millie Boyle, we have started a challenge of riding 500 kilometres in a week between the two of us (250 kilometres each). But we love that we are able to train together and push each other through our daily workouts.
Find out more – is there anything you are studying up on, reading, watching now that you are spending more time at home?
Ward and Purontakanen: We are one of the most competitive couples you’ll come across, so we started a Reds v Broncos challenge which has been keeping us busy as well as playing a lot more board games. We’ve also been house hunting and wedding planning, things we never had time to do. We may even start taking some at-home dancing lessons just for a bit of fun. But weirdly, it has been nice to slow down and spend some time together, but we definitely miss footy!
Favourite footy photos
Purontakanen:
Ward:
