Despite becoming the first Dragon in NRLW history to score four tries in a single game on Saturday afternoon at Kogarah, Teagan Berry’s focus remains on the job ahead and doing what she can to keep the side’s finals hopes alive.
Her four-try haul coincided with her becoming just the third Dragon in NRLW history to reach the 20-game mark – a milestone not lost on the South West Rocks-native who joined the club’s pathways as a teenager.
“It’s good that Sowie acknowledges it and, coming through the Dragons pathways, they’ve really looked after me and it’s been awesome so far,” Berry said.
“I’d like to stay at the club and hopefully keep ticking goals… I was pretty proud of my performance on the weekend. My 20th game, I wanted to go out and just play my best football and I’m happy with my performance but, obviously with the loss, I’m disappointed as well.”
The 21-year-old, who is now the outright leading try-scorer in NRLW history, says that her try-scoring exploits are secondary with the side’s run home the focus.
“I sort of just go out there and play footy and the tries come,” she said.
NRLW Highlights: Berry's big day out
“This week, we’re really focused on [winning]. We need to win our last three games to even be in the finals, so we need to go out and win this weekend.”
Berry spent the offseason honing her fullback skills after spending her first three seasons on the wing and, six games in, has revelled in the positional shift which she says has been made smoother thanks to the work of standout halves Tyla Nathan-Wong and Raecene McGregor.
“I’m really enjoying fullback. Obviously, running it more and coming off the wing. Doing lots more work. It’s been awesome so far. Sowie’s had that faith in me which is also good,” she said.
“I love playing with both of them. They bring great qualities. They help me with my game. They have such great knowledge of the game and I really enjoy playing with them both.”
A junior sprinting star who has earnt the nickname “Flash” among her teammates, Berry is currently the premiership’s leader in tries scored, total runs, and run metres whilst sitting fourth in tackle breaks.
Having spent time with the extended NSW State of Origin squad preseason but falling short of a debut, Berry’s charge towards the representative scene may prove fruitful when the Jillaroos meet the Kiwi Ferns in a pair of clashes in Townsville and Melbourne later in the year.
“I’m not too worried about that stuff,” she said.
“I’m just playing my best footy for the Dragons at the moment… I just go out there and play what’s best for the team.”
