'Anything for this team': Kelly relishing halves switch

Sydney Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly and star playmaker Tarryn Aiken are relishing their new halves partnership following the loss of NSW Origin five-eighth Corban Baxter.

Kelly, who usually plays in the centres at club and representative level, had been preparing to shift to fullback but with Sam Bremner coming out of retirement following the pre-season injury to Baxter, she has now moved to five-eighth.

After again being named at five-eighth for Saturday’s clash with Wests Tigers, Kelly appears destined to remain in the No.6 jersey and she revealed that Roosters coach John Strange wanted her closer to the action.

"Me and ‘Strangey’ spoke at the end of last year about potentially being a bit more involved," Kelly said. "I'd do anything for this team, and I'm having a lot of fun just being on the ball a bit more.

“It's been a bit of a challenge for me, but I'm not really someone that likes to shy away when things get tough."

Bremner’s presence back within the playing group has brought an elevated level of confidence, with the former Jillaroos captain slotting seamlessly into the fullback position in last Sunday's 28-12 defeat of the Broncos.

“It's been really natural. Obviously, it's really devastating to lose Corbs [Baxter], but we've had Sam here at the club before, so to have her just slot right in, it's like she never really left," Kelly said.

"She kind of brings this aura to the team that is a really positive type of vibe, and she's super competitive. Whenever those kicks go up, I know that she's going to get them because she's that type of competitor."

The decision to move Baxter from fullback to five-eighth meant that Aiken, who played opposite her in the No.6 jersey for Queensland during this year's Origin series, had been preparing to take on the chief playmaking role.

Aiken said there was a big focus at the end of the club's 2023 NRLW campaign and into the pre-season on the positional switch and she scored two tries while guiding the Roosters to victory at halfback last Sunday.

"I think we sort of have been working with Strangey, probably for the last 12 months, or since the end of last season, on building into the seven role," Aiken said. 

“Obviously, Corby was meant to play in the halves, but with her injury, Izzy's doing what's best for the team and going into the six role.”

Strange said that Aiken had the ability to transition into one of the NRLW's upper-echelon halfbacks with her kicking game able to influence the outcome of matches.

“Her short-kicking game's probably the best in the women's comp to be honest," Strange said.

"Even when she's put under pressure on the last close to the line, with defenders coming at her, she's usually able to put that right kick in and get a repeat set or put on for a try or something like that”.