NRLW: Sam Bremner to make shock comeback for Sydney Roosters after NSW Origin star Corban Baxter is ruled out for season

After hanging up the boots in 2023 following more than a decade in the game, a former Jillaroos star will make a shock comeback out of retirement for the upcoming NRLW season.

Former Jillaroos star Sam Bremner is back. Picture: NRL Imagery

Former Jillaroos star Sam Bremner will make a shock comeback for the Sydney Roosters, almost two years after her final game in the NRLW.

The Roosters on Friday announced the return of the 32-year-old fullback, who hung up the boots in January 2023 after more than a decade in the game.

The development comes after a horror pre-season for the competition heavyweights, which has included a season-ending ACL injury to star fullback Corban Baxter in last week’s trial.

Winger Brydee Parker will also miss up to eight weeks with a fractured forearm, while hooker Shawden Burton is already out for the year with a hamstring injury.

“Sam has already made a significant impact on the sport, and we are thrilled to welcome her back,“ Roosters coach John Strange said.

“Her decision to come out of retirement speaks volumes about her passion for the game and this club.

Sam Bremner is set for a return to the Sydney Roosters. Credit: Supplied.

“Sam’s skill, experience and leadership are second to none and her presence will be a huge asset to our squad.

“While Sam is incredibly fit and has a very strong footy IQ, we won’t be rushing her into the side before she has had the opportunity to reacquaint herself with the rigours of NRLW training.”

The Roosters open their season against reigning premiers Newcastle on Thursday.

BAXTER RULED OUT FOR SEASON

Sydney Roosters have copped a massive setback a fortnight out from the NRLW season with NSW Origin star Corban Baxter ruled out for the season.

The Roosters fullback ruptured her ACL in a pre-season trial against Cronulla over the weekend and will be sidelined for the rest of the year.

Baxter is one of two injuries out of the weekend of carnage for the Roosters, with winger Brydee Parker to miss six to eight weeks with a fractured forearm.

They will both join Shawden Burton, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the pre-season, in the club’s casualty ward before the season officially kicks off in a fortnight.

Corban Baxter has been ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL injury. NRL Imagery

While Parker is a chance to return midway through the season, the loss of Baxter for the season is a huge blow for the Roosters who are one of the favourites for the NRLW premiership.

The 30-year-old will see specialists this week to plan her rehab.

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Baxter returned to the NRLW just last season after the birth of her second child, and this year earned her place in the halves for the Origin series.

“We are all really feeling for Corban. She is our vice-captain and such a valuable asset to our playing group, so to have her miss the entire 2024 season is a really big loss,” said Roosters head coach John Strange.

“It’s also disappointing news for ’Shawdy’ (Burton). She has worked so hard to recover from the ACL injury that sidelined her midway through last year, so this new injury is really unlucky.

“Pleasingly for Brydie, we expect to see her back in the next six to eight weeks or so.

“We will continue to do everything possible to ensure Corban, Shawden and Brydie are fully supported during their respective recoveries, and can return to playing as soon as possible.”

The news will leave the Roosters scrambling for a quick solution.

The club can now apply for an NRL exemption to add more players to their 24-player roster before the first game of the season against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on July 25.

Originally published as NRLW: Sam Bremner to make shock comeback for Sydney Roosters after NSW Origin star Corban Baxter is ruled out for season