Captain's call: How membership role readied Zali to lead Red V

Zali Hopkins may be the youngest captain in the NRLW but the Dragons hooker has a greater appreciation than most of the work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for a season after working for the club's membership team.

Hopkins, who will co-captain St George Illawarra with Dally M Medallist and Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor in Saturday’s Round 1 match against the Raiders, spent the NRLW off-season phoning members and answering their calls.

The 23-year-old believes the experience gave her an insight into the elements required for the club to be successful and also helped ensure she was ready for the expanded 12-team Telstra Women’s Premiership.

“We wouldn’t be out on the field if it wasn’t for everyone else behind the scenes,” Hopkins said. “It was such an eye opener. As a player, you show up to the game and everything's done for you.

“My role was making in-bound and out-bound calls. I was basically helping the members out, getting their membership packs ready, helping with their seat allocations and renewing members - that was a big one.

“I think it was the first time that the membership team has hit budget before the season even kicked off, so that was cool to be a part of, and it goes to show that you've got to put in before you can even play.”

From a playing perspective, the office role helped Hopkins stay focused on the work she needed to do to impress new coach Nathan Cross when pre-season training began seven weeks ago.

With the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership now running parallel to the NRLW as a virtual reserve grade competition, the onus is on players to maintain their fitness and prepare for the pre-season.

“It’s up to you to stay fit and healthy,” Hopkins said. “If you show up and you're not ready to go, then you could lose your spot so it’s all on you to really put your best foot forward and get ready for pre-season, before the season even kicks off.”

Now in her fourth season of NRLW with the Dragons, Hopkins is a senior player in a young squad boasting 17 players aged between 18 and 23 years old, including five members of the victorious NSW U19s Origin team led by Kasey Reh.

Hopkins is also the youngest captain in the NRLW, with Bulldogs co-captain Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Cowboys co-captain Emma Manzelmann both being a few months older.

“I was literally speechless when Crossy told me. I was shocked but I am honoured that he would put that belief in me like that,” she said.

“Rae is such a great player and a great leader ... I can't believe I'm going to run out with her. I’m just grateful enough to play with her week in and week out, but to co-captain with her, she brings so much confidence to me.

“We always bag Rae out for being old, but she is only 27 and she has done it all in the game."

The Dragons owe thanks to former international Jim Dymock, who is now on the coaching staff at Manly, for Hopkins playing league after he took her and his daughter Tegan, who plays for the Bulldogs, to a training session at Cronulla.

At the time the pair were playing rugby sevens but when that code forced them to choose they quit to focus on league and Hopkins is glad she did.

"I'm still just Zali playing footy but it's amazing how fast the NRLW is growing. When I watch it on TV or hear people talk about it, it's pretty cool to be recognised," Hopkins said.

“I think I built a good connection with a lot of diehard members and fans just from working for the club and being a player.

“When I called them on the phone, they’d say, ‘Do you play in the NRLW’. I would say, ‘Yeah, I'm just at work’ and they’d be like, ‘That's awesome. I can't believe I'm speaking to you on the phone’.

“I think it's awesome. They show up each week. Win or lose, they're always there, so it doesn’t take a lot at the end of the game to go say ‘hi’ to the fans, to go and greet them, thank them for coming and things like that.”