The rise of Queensland Under 17 City flyer Ebony Raftstrand-Smith is a real sister act as she aims to emulate the feats of her older sister Tiana.
The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons had a stunning 8-6 win over New South Wales this year and Tiana, usually a five-eighth, played 63 minutes in the second row in a fabulous debut.
Ebony, just 16, was in the crowd watching and to say she was inspired would be an understatement.
"I was with my family watching Tiana and it was so good," Ebony said.
'It was a really proud moment' - Raftstrand-Smith
"Just watching her play... I was so proud of her and the way she represented our family.
"Tiana is my role model. I look up to her heaps and I train with her lots. I used to play when I was little with Tiana in the backyard.
"She is two years older than me, and a lot better than me too."
City coach Deanna Turner, a former Jillaroo and Firebird, said Ebony also had plenty to offer and would be a huge asset to the side.
"Ebony is a great finisher. She will play on the wing for us and has really good speed," Turner said.
"She seems to be in the right position all the time and just hangs wide and shows a lot of talent with her finishing.
"Ebony is Tiana's younger sister. Tiana debuted this year as an 18-year-old and we, as the [Queensland] 19s coaches, were hoping we could keep her, but she played amazing in the women's team. She is a freak of a talent."
Ebony is as dedicated as they come, and versatile as well. She plays her football with the Parkwood Sharks and for Keebra Park High School. Along with playing wing she can play multiple positions in the forwards and backs. It is her dedication that suggests she will do her older sister proud.
"For school I play centre and at the back. For club I play fullback and lock. I like both the running and tackling side of it," Ebony said.
"With the school side, Ms [Fathem] Webber is our coach. We have a different academy to the boys and the pathways with the girls' academy are getting better every year.
"For school we train three days a week and on Fridays it is early mornings, but personally I train every day.
"Me, my twin Skye and Tiana go down to the fields and do drills. We do tackling, passing, running and kicking every day."
Ebony comes from an outstanding extended sporting family. Her aunt is New Zealand rugby union legend Portia Woodman. Woodman's father Kawhena and uncle Fred Woodman both played for the All Blacks, while her aunt Te Aroha Keenan lined up with the Silver Ferns.
All that great sporting history is bearing fruit in the new generation of the family.
Ebony, a Gold Coast Titan supporter, also has high goals in sport. The Titans will enter a new team to play NRLW in the two full competitions slated for 2022.
"I would like to play with my sister at the Titans... she is already signed," Ebony said.
Ebony said she was looking forward to finishing the season in the City versus Country showdown.
"It is going to be great, and I have already played a few games with most of them for SEQ," Ebony said.
City and Country will clash at Moreton Daily Stadium on October 2 at 12.50pm.
