No-one truly knows what Kirra Dibb went through to get herself back into the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues team after a two-year absence.
But her versatility as a lock or five-eighth, her positional kicks and her shots at goal with the North Sydney Bears over the past four seasons had a lot to do with it.
Dibb was named the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal dinner after what the 25-year-old did with the Bears in 2022.
The women in red-and-black finished the season as Minor Premiers with seven wins from eight games.
Dibb missed two rounds due to her recall into the NSW Sky Blues Origin side, but still amassed 42 points (two tries, 17 goals) along with a half-dozen try assists and line-break assists.
“Obviously an ending that we didn’t want to happen but we also don’t want to forget how good we played throughout,” Dibb said of the Bears bowing out 24-10 to eventual champions Wests Tigers in the Semi-finals.
“It’s still been an incredible season with a great team. The girls are a big part of the reason I got to hold up this award too. I’m very grateful to them.”
Dibb deserves a pat on the back for overcoming the self-doubts and disappointment of missing selection in the 2020 and 2021 Origin sides after making her debut at No.6 in 2019 with a 14-4 win over the Maroons.
“Missing out on the Origin team was hard… there’s no way around it,” she said.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with in my career so getting back to that stage was such an honour and such a nice feeling.
“I worked hard to improve on every level – not just my playing ability but outside of that as well.
“It all came together in 2022 so to come away with the Origin Shield was just that little cherry on top – a real honour.”
Sky Blues captain Kezie Apps presented Dibb with her NSW jersey on the eve of the game. Dibb spoke of how Apps kept in touch and encouraged her during the two-year hiatus from the rep arena.
Dibb rewarded that faith with a fine solo try in the 20-14 win at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
“That try I still pinch myself about,” Dibb said.
“It’s not something that happens very often but I’m so glad we got the win for it was a really talented team around me.
“As much it was really cool to get that try, none of it would have happened if Kylie (Hilder) hadn’t backed me and Kezie and the whole team.
“We brought that trophy home. It was a career highlight to date definitely.”
Dibb played No.6 with No.7 Ali Brigginshaw in the halves for Australia in the October 2019 Test against New Zealand.
She is hoping her utility value in the halves, edges and middle – alongside her kicking – will give her passage back into Jillaroos coach Brad Donald’s squad.
“Look I absolutely hope so as the World Cup is one of my biggest goals not just for this year but for my career in general,” Dibb said.
“First step though is to finish off with the Knights (in NRLW) and get that pretty premiership ring on our fingers at the end of the season.
“But playing with the Jillaroos again is the ultimate for me. Hopefully that versatility that I’ve had throughout the season will help me get over that line.”
