Katrina Fanning Shield Round One Preview

The Specsavers Katrina Fanning Shield competition kicks off this weekend, with three exciting matches

Yass Magpies v UC Stars, 10:30am Saturday 1 May at Seears Workwear Oval, Queanbeyan 

The Yass Magpies take on the UC starts in their first clash of the 2021 season. 

Yass combined with the Tuggeranong Bushrangers in 2020 to form the Bushpies team. The merge was hugely successful, with the Bushpies side winning the grand final last year. 

This year the players are back to their individual clubs. The Magpies have a strong KFS side, with seven players in the Monaro Country Championships side this year.

Halfback Hollie Massey is back in Yass colours, having taken a year off last season. 

The UC Stars will field a KFS side for the first time, having previously been aligned under the Tuggeranong Buffaloes. 

Many of the Stars players were part of last year's Buffaloes side, with coach Mick Kociolek coaching the UC women's tackle side this season.  

Hear from Yass second rower Sami Afele and UC Stars player Kathleen Churchill ahead of round one

Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Queanbeyan Blues, 12pm Saturday 1 May at Greenway Oval, Tuggeranong

The Tuggeranong Bushrangers face the Queanbeyan Blues is round one action this weekend. 

The Bushrangers have many dangerous players across the park, with new and experienced players rounding out the side. 

Elissa Blowes, Nirada Phonsaya, Kaiti Primrose, Zoe Podmore, Ashley Palmer, Jana Teivonen, Caitlin Fazey-Robinson, Grace Guthrie and Nirvana Ngan-Woo were all part of the grand final winning side last year, and are back in Tuggeranong colours this season. 

The Queanbeyan Blues had an excellent season last year, and will look to build on that heading into this season. 

The Blues reached the KFS grand final in 2020, losing just one game during the regular season. They have kept most of that squad this year, with combinations continuing to build. 

Taylor Galjaardt returns to the side as halfback, having missed last season due to injury, 

Hear from Tuggeranong Bushrangers prop Nirvana Ngan-Woo and Queanbeyan Blues halfback Taylor Galjaardt as they preview the season ahead. 

Boomanulla Raiders v Goulburn City Bulldogs, 12:45pm Saturday 1 May at Boomanulla Oval

The Boomanulla Raiders kick off their 2021 campaign at home against the Goulburn City Bulldogs. 

Both sides didn't participate in last year's competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so will be ready to get back into the swing of things. 

Boomanulla have many experienced players in their side this year, with Jacintha Geia a big addition to the side. 

A few players also played for West Belconnen in the 2020 competition. 

The Goulburn KFS side have undergone a re-brand during the 2020 season, and are now the Goulburn City Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs have a young side this year, with a number of exciting up and coming players.