Indigenous All Stars playmaker Kirra Dibb has been awarded the Trish Hina medal after steering her side to a comprehensive 26-4 win over the Maori All Stars.
It was a sloppy start from both sides in wet conditions before reigning Dally M medal winner Tamika Upton came with a try-saving tackle to ignite the game
Indigenous halfback Kirra Dibb produced a pinpoint 40/20 to build pressure and four minutes later Upton put in a grubber for Shaylee Bent, who scored her first All Stars try after featuring in every clash since it’s inception in 2017.
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2022 Trish Hina medal winner Jaime Chapman then crossed for her first of two tries before proud Torres Strait Islander Kimberley Hunt scored on debut in the corner.
Chapman added another impressive individual try to her tally after running 70 metres beating three players on her way.
The Maori women clicked into gear in the final quarter after Ash Quinlan came onto the field and set up Jasmin Strange in the corner.
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But it was too little, too late with the Indigenous side’s dominant first half setting up the game.
They put the icing on the cake in the final four minutes when Hunt scooped up a Dibb grubber.
It was a fitting finish for 31-year-old Hunt, who was knocking over a four-hour round trip from Cairns twice a week to train with the Tully Tigers men’s A-grade side to earn selection for the Indigenous All Stars.
Hunt had a large contingent of family and friends on deck to watch — and cheer on her debut double.
Chapman was electric finishing with six tackle busts, two linebreajs and 192 running metres to go with her two tries but Dibb’s composure and kicking game earned her player of the match honours after setting up two tries.
The result was a huge moment for Indigenous mentor Jess Skinner, who on Friday became the first woman to coach in the All Stars showpiece.
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