Vette-Welsh brimming with confidence for NSW
Botille Vette-Welsh has renewed confidence not only in playing fullback for the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Origin team but also in her left leg.
She arrived in camp sporting a new compression thigh pad, which is giving her increased faith in that troublesome left hamstring as she builds towards the Ampol State of Origin match against Queensland at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday June 25.
The 24-year-old hopes the thigh wrap will only increase her peace of mind with her running and acceleration.
“I just got this yesterday – that was my first session with it on,” Vette-Welsh said.
“It’s a bit of compression and warmth for the whole time I’m training.”
Vette-Welsh is on reduced duties in respect that she is running at no more than 70% - for the early part of the Origin camp at least – but she is still allowed to do contact.
“It’s just a precautionary thing,” Vette-Welsh said.
“I did my hammy quite badly last year so I’m just making sure I’m on top of it.”
Vette-Welsh has been purring at fullback for Wests Tigers in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership. She made her Origin debut off the bench in 2019 with Corban Baxter (nee McGregor) playing fullback but had made the NSW No.1 jumper her own for the past two years.
“I don’t think anyone has got their position secured in these types of teams,” Vette-Welsh. “But I think there is still more footy in me to be playing.
“I like fullback. I like the responsibility and I like having control from the back and being able to see heaps. I have a bit more freedom and space for when I attack. I’m not so restricted. I can roam and sniff around and finish off all the hard work of others.”
The message from coach Kylie Hilder to Vette-Welsh is clear.
“Just play basic footy but have a crack each time and make sure we’re competing at everything,” Vette-Welsh said.
“I like to be very, very vocal out the back to make everyone else’s job easier. I can see so much more than everyone else being so far behind the play.
“I don’t have that pressure or a lack of time to make decisions so I try to help out the girls in the middle, be able to get them set, and give them a bit of a breather before the next runner comes at them, then that’s what I like to do – be a helper.”
The crop of NSW forwards are a treat to work with veterans Simaima Taufa and Kezie Apps and rising stars like Kennedy Cherrington, Sarah Togatuki, and Filomina Hanisi pushing up.
“The young ones coming through are so powerful, so strong and fast – and they are fit. They are some of the fittest in the women’s game that you’ll see,” Vette-Welsh said.
“Most of them are playing the full 70 minutes at club, so it’s exciting to be able to push off those kinds of girls.”