Stay away bro: Strange wary of Ethan virus for NRLW GF
Scott Bailey |
Sydney Roosters star Jasmin Strange has ordered her brother Ethan to stay in his room ahead of the NRLW decider, worried she will catch the same virus that ruined his finals at Canberra.
Jasmin will on Sunday shoot for a third straight NRLW premiership, as the Roosters pursue back-to-back titles of their own against fellow heavyweights Brisbane.
But the 22-year-old’s week has not been easy, after going on antivirals before last Saturday night’s semi-final win over Cronulla because of a head cold.
Her sickness coincided with Ethan returning to the family home last week, after the Raiders star was ruled out of Canberra’s men’s semi-final with a virus.
Jasmin is hopeful the two issues are not related, but has told her brother to take no chances ahead of Sunday’s decider, with the 20-year-old still unwell.
“He’s still sick. I’ve told him to stay away,” Jasmin told AAP.
“He’s come home to where I live. He has stayed in his room, but I don’t know if I have the same thing.”
The second-rower also admitted she was somewhat nervous about catching the virus.
“I’d prefer not to get sick and be able to play,” Jasmin said.
“His was a lot worse though. He actually couldn’t breathe, and it sounded like he kind of almost died, so I’m not too worried about playing with the flu.
“I didn’t know how bad he was until after (the Raiders lost).
“And I’m kind of glad I didn’t, because it would have been classic big-sister behaviour and been really stressed.”
Canberra’s men’s exit denied the NRL the ultimate family affair on grand-final day, with Jasmin and her dad John the only father-daughter coach-player combination.
The pair have worked together since Jasmin took up the game in her teens, with John coaching the Nines side at Berkeley Vale.
The second-rower debuted under her dad at the Roosters in 2022, before becoming a premiership player at Newcastle the following year.
She returned to the Roosters last season and won another title, before starring in this year’s unbeaten campaign with four tries and three assists.
Jasmin said while she was used to being coached by her father, it was still weird seeing him in that setting.
“It kind of gives me the ‘icks’ when I see him at training, because that’s him as a coach, but then at home he’s completely different,” Jasmin said.
“It’s not even a harder edge, I think he’s just more focused when he’s here. He’s a very caring person, and he still is as a coach.
“But at home he’s just really funny and silly. It’s nice … we just go for bike rides or to the beach. He’s actually the best dad ever.
“So I feel like we do a really good job of differentiating between when he’s talking to me as a coach, and when he’s talking to me as a player.”
AAP
