NRLW news: Brisbane put aside teammates’ heartbreak to continue finals surge

It was an emotional week for Brisbane’s NRLW team with the entire game rallying around two of their teammates, but there was still a game of footy to be won.

Ali Brigginshaw leads the Broncos out to play the Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane has overcome a major scare to remain in pole position for the NRLW finals, getting over the top of the Wests Tigers 22-18 in Newcastle to cap off an emotional week.

Wearing jerseys sporting a heart and the initials of both Lavinia Gould and Toni Hunt following their heartbreaking news through the week, the Broncos were forced to dig deep against a stubborn Tigers outfit and move into third position.

Things weren’t looking good for the visitors midway through the second half, trailing by 10 and reduced to 12 women, before they were able to launch a stunning comeback.

It started with Brianna Clark powering her way through the defence as the front rower resembled a flying centre, before Destiny Brill caught the defence napping to go over from dummy half untouched to level things up with seven minutes to play.

The resurgence was completed by Shenae Ciesiolka, showing her skills to get on the outside of her marker to score and help her side avoid an almighty upset.

Brisbane skipper Ali Brigginshaw said it has been an emotional week at the club. Getty Images

Captain Ali Brigginshaw said it was an emotional week for the team as the entire game rallied around their teammates.

“We were told about it early in the week,” Brigginshaw said.

“Ever since I’ve known Vini (Gould) she goes through her struggles with her daughter in hospital, but you would never know, she’s someone that keeps things under the radar.

“With Toni she’s been holding onto this for a couple of weeks and was playing and not telling anyone.

“She didn’t want to bother the team. She said I don’t want the fuss, I just want you to win.

“As a group and collective we came together for support around them. They both showed up to training on Friday, Toni had chemo on Thursday, so it’s unbelievable what they’re doing.

“I’ve had messages across the whole NRLW reaching out to me on how they can help and that’s been so amazing.

“The way the game has supported them has blown them away. They’re very emotional about it, but there’s so much more work to do and we’re going to do that as a team.”

Mele Hufanga makes a break for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

TIGERS SHOW RESILIENCE EARLY ON

Brisbane dominated the first 20 minutes and a majority of the first half, camping themselves deep in Wests Tigers territory and enjoying a number of sets right on their line, but they just couldn’t crack it.

Despite boasting the second-best attack in the competition and piling on 72 points in the past fortnight, they found it tough to break a stubborn Tigers defence aided by the return of Kezie Apps and Sarah Togatuki.

Eventually a Chelsea Lenarduzzi charge in the 23rd minute saw the Broncos finally get on the board, but more wasted opportunities kept the Tigers in the contest, eventually getting back to within two points at the break on the back of a Jakiya Whitfeld try.

YOUNG GUN LEFT WORSE FOR WEAR

A sickening head clash left 19-year-old Eliza Siilata in a bad way early.

The Tigers back rower collided with Grace Griffin in a nasty incident, leaving her with a swollen cheekbone and a HIA.

Unfortunately she failed the test after just six minutes of gametime.

WILD THREE MINUTES

The Broncos looked from completely cast to back in the hunt in the space of three minutes.

After Salma Nour crossed to extend the Tigers’ lead to 10, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop earlier in the set.

They then kicked out on the full from the kick-off, before going the length of the field and getting one back through Clark to keep them alive inside the final 20 minutes.