Sport
18 December, 2024
'Cloncurry kid' eyes big season after signing with Brisbane Broncos
Montaya Hudson is considered one of the brightest talents in NRLW and hopes to show her skills on the big stage in 2025.
Montaya Hudson wants to set the record straight.
“I’m a Cloncurry kid,” she says at the top of the interview, pointing out that she’s been called a Mount Isa product for most of her rugby league life.
While the 19-year-old was born in the Isa, she’s a bonafide Curry kid with strong ties to the town.
Hudson, speaking after she was just announced as a contracted Brisbane Broncos player for the 2025 NRLW season, has a great sporting pedigree.
Her father, David “Froggie” Hudson is a Cloncurry legend. Not only was he a gun on the footy field, but he could also hold his own in the boxing ring.
There’s almost enough Hudsons to compile a cricket team, with Montaya the youngest of seven.
All her older siblings were talented athletes – brother Marshall was also on the North Queensland Cowboys’ radar and played for their under-20 team at one point.
“We all played footy,” she said.
“I’m the youngest so I spent the least amount of time in Cloncurry, moving to Townsville when I was in prep, I think.
“I don’t have too many memories in Cloncurry, but they are there. My family has a lot.”
Hudson has a diverse cultural background.
Through her father and paternal grandparents she has Kalkadoon and Mitakoodi blood in her veins.
She also believes there is a Torres Strait connection in her family.
However, on her mum’s side, Hudson has Scottish bloodlines, which means that Jillaroos selectors had better keep an eye on the potential for an overseas raid.
A career in rugby league was not an option for the star fullback when she first picked up a Steeden, however, the pathways started to emerge throughout high school.
“I started off with gymnastics and soccer and played a lot of touch,” Hudson said.
“I was basically just playing touch and footy at the end, with a little bit of Rugby 7s, too.”
Hudson was so talented at 7s that she was picked for a state team while still in high school.
In fact, at one point she was in the Queensland under-18 sides for three sports – rugby league, touch and rugby 7s.
“I got some more opportunities with 7s when I moved to Brisbane but, obviously, rugby league was where my heart was,” she said.
After accepting an offer to attend Marsden State High School in Logan, Hudson and her mum made the move to Brisbane so she could focus on forging a career in league.
“I started pretty slow in school and finished my senior schooling here last year, so I’m still kind of fresh out of school,” she said.
“I think moving down here was my best outcome. Even though I love Townsville and I love Cloncurry, I think Brisbane was the best thing.”
The teen sensation made her BMD Premiership debut last year, playing seven games for the Tigers in the state-wide competition.
Hudson then made the move to Norths Devils this year and played all but one game as she helped her side to a grand final appearance against the Mackay Cutters.
Wearing the number-one jersey throughout the season, Hudson said it was a good challenge as one of the least experienced players.
“Being one of the younger girls in such an important position was very daunting, I think,” she said.
“But having the senior mentors
helped a lot with my growth and development as a person and a player.
“Each game is different and you got to test your strengths and weaknesses and learn lessons.”
Hudson, who scored the Devils’ only try in their 16-6 grand final loss, said it was a disappointing end to the season.
“It’s one game where you need to win and put everything on the line,” she said.
“But it was a huge learning experience.”
Despite the loss, Hudson was at the peak of her powers six months ago.
Not only was she listed as a development player with the Broncos, she had also been picked for the Queensland under-19 State of Origin team.
However, things came crashing down to the earth at Leichhardt Oval as she hurt her collarbone in Queensland’s 46-4 loss to New South Wales.
It was the second time Hudson had injured her clavicle.
“The first time it was in the qualifying for Queensland schoolgirls, playing for down at Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast),” she said.
“I fractured my collarbone and I got a plate and six screws.
“And then I broke it again in Origin – completely snapped it.
“I now have eight screws, a plate and artificial bone in there, which will not be taken out.”
Injuries are part of the game but Hudson was hoping to make her NRLW debut with the Broncos, with many considering her a chance to get picked for at least one game in the top flight.
“I think mentally it’s made me tougher and I think that’s probably going to help in the long run,” she said.
“It’s definitely made me work harder. It’s a long time between now and round one of the NRLW season.”
The Broncos don’t play until July 5, while the BMD Premiership starts later than usual, meaning Hudson won’t get back on the park until June 14 at the earliest, when the Devils host the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
“That also stunts a little bit of growth as well, but it might also be a blessing in disguise so I can get my body right and be better prepared – physically and mentally – throughout the season.”
When North West Weekly found an older interview with Hudson, she spoke regularly about how her rugby league hero was Tamika Upton, a Maroons Origin star but also a gun fullback with Newcastle.
However, Upton has just made the move to the Broncos in the off-season, creating even more competition for Hudson in the first grade squad.
Not that the 19-year-old is complaining.
“Honestly, it makes me emotional thinking about it,” she says of being a teammate of her childhood hero.
“She played touch at a young age, kind of grew her career from touch football, and she’s from Rockhampton ... I see a lot of similarities between her and myself.
“Finding out she has signed here is also a little bit scary because, oh my god, I have the best fullback in the game at this club.
“But it’s also the best news you could possibly get, I reckon.
“It’s a blessing that I get to learn from someone as great as her.
“I’m really excited to have her on board; I’ve spoken to her a few times and she looks to develop all the time.”
Another Kalkadoon hero, Mount Isa’s own Scott Prince, is the head coach of the Broncos NRLW team and Hudson said she would soon find out his plans for her in 2025.
“I haven’t had too many words with Princey and the crew, but I think I’m open to any position,” she said, knowing that the fullback spot is probably off limits while Upton is fit and healthy.
“I think if I want to make my debut, I need to be open about whatever position I play.
“I actually made my debut for the Tigers at wing and all through school football I’ve played in the halves, so it’s not like I’m not familiar with other positions.”
Hudson, who is also working full-time with the Broncos in the club’s community department, said she was grateful of the opportunities provided at Red Hill.
She encouraged all North West juniors hoping to forge a sporting career to follow their dreams.
“My advice would be: don’t set yourself too many barriers. I think it’s very easy to think that you can’t go too far or it’s not possible,” she said.
“Looking at myself today and where I started, it’s very different.
“Anything is possible when you put the effort in and have the drive to get there.”