Who to watch: Players of the BMD Premiership semi-finals

The 2024 BMD Premiership seasons was one of the closest competitions in recent memories, with three contenders for this year's finals series not decided until the very last round.

The minor premiers, Mackay Cutters, have known they'd be playing finals footy for several weeks now, but the Norths Devils, Burleigh Bears and Western Clydesdales only locked in their places after some valiant efforts in Round 9.

Now, this weekend, the four teams will go to battle to determine the two grand finalists, with the Cutters playing host to the Clydesdales while the Devils take on the Bears.

Ahead of this weekend's do-or-die matches, here are some players to watch out for as they bid for the chance to play in the May 25 premiership decider.

Who to watch: BMD Premiership semi-finals

Montana Clifford (Burleigh Bears)

The teenage forward has been an instant standout for the Burleigh Bears, making her BMD Premiership debut in Round 1 and playing in every single game since.

Hailing from Penrith, the 19-year-old moved north this year and for coach Scott Cooke, she has been a reliable and consistent force for the Bears in a year that has been riddled with injury, representative absences and other forced changes.

In the last four matches, she has played a full 70 minutes for the Bears, stepping up when needed.

"Montana brings a lot of good energy to the team," Cooke said.

"She's a great little player... She's been super good defensively all year and does a great job.

"I want to see more of the same from her this weekend - good energy, good line-running, defending well as normal.

"We just want her to get out there and do the best she can and enjoy the moment and rip in."

Krystal Blackwell (Mackay Cutters)

Blackwell's attacking statistics speak for themselves.

The Cutters fullback is tied first in this competition this year for line break assists, with eight, and second in the competition for try assists (seven) and offloads (13).

The 2023 women's Country Championship player of the year in New South Wales, the 21-year-old is new to the BMD Premiership and with the support of the Cutters' Townsville-based staff, such as Alicia-Kate Hawke, she has gone from strength-to-strength.

"Our fullback has been amazing this year," coach Marco Peters said of Blackwell.

"KB has been working on her game all year and the work she has done with Alicia has been amazing.

"We saw her speed and endurance during our pre-season camps and this is the basis of her talent. However, she has developed and grown in confidence with her ball-playing and support play during the year.

"KB’s try and line break assists would be up there with the competition leaders and, along with her running game, is the full package."

Georgia Hannaway (Norths Devils)

Rugby union convert Hannaway (main image) is back in the code where it all started for her and has been unstoppable since joining Norths.

Having just this week picked up her first NRLW contract with the Cronulla Sharks, Hannaway has been key to Norths' form this year, which has seen them make finals for the first time in their team's history.

She finished the regular season as the second highest try scorer - with nine tries, behind Tweed's Bridget Hoy on 12 - and finished third for line breaks, with eight.

Norths coach Meg Ward said Hannaway took no time in re-learning the game and the Devils have been reaping the benefits since.

"She brings a spark to the team," Ward said.

"She brings an electric spark of speed and an element of the unknown. You never know what she's going to do with the footy and she can create something out of nothing.

"She's been a good impact to our squad. She ties in well with (halfback) Jocelyn (Kelleher) who is calming in knowing what she wants while Georgia plays eyes-up footy and doesn't pre-plan.

"She's had a ripper season and is playing simple footy but nailing the things she needs to do.

"Some games she gets targeted but has handled it really well. She needs to keep being her this weekend and nailing what she's doing."

Zoe Cook (Western Clydesdales)

The Dysart product has been building her rugby league over the past four years, playing with the North Queensland Gold Stars and Mackay Cutters before this season heading south to join the Clydesdales in their inaugural season.

Her hard work and can-do attitude has seen her develop even further, earning her place in the starting side as a backrower.

For coach Mitch Sargent, Cook exemplifies everything the Clydesdales are about.

"Zoe's obviously taken an opportunity to come down and play in an inaugural team and help build a club from the bottom up," Sargent said.

"Her attitude has been phenomenal and she's fit really well into our team. She's someone we wanted at this club - a hard worker, accountable and resilient, and someone you can build a team around.

"Zoe just needs to bring her aggression, with and without the footy.

"She's a very damaging ball runner and is extremely physical in defence. If Zoe can bring those two things for us on the weekend, it could go a really long way in us performing well."

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