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Wally Lewis throws support behind Ali Brigginshaw after Valley Diehards scratched from QRLW

Rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis has come out swinging for his former club the Valley Diehards and their star player Ali Brigginshaw after their scratching from the QRLW next year.

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THE King of Rugby League, Wally Lewis, has thrown his support behind the Valley Diehards and Ali Brigginshaw after their scratching from the QRLW next year.

The Courier-Mail reported on Wednesday the risk of the state’s top grade losing some of it’s best players, including the Queensland and Australian Captain Ali Brigginshaw, who are staying strong at the Diehards.

Ruby League Immortal Wally Lewis said he was shocked when he heard the club which was responsible for his Rugby League success would lose their spot in the top women’s tier in 2022.

Brisbane Broncos, Origin and Australian captain Ali Brigginshaw has vowed to stayed with the Valley Diehards. Picture: Brad Fleet
Brisbane Broncos, Origin and Australian captain Ali Brigginshaw has vowed to stayed with the Valley Diehards. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It’s just stunning, I think everybody that has heard it is gob smacked and couldn’t see how it all came into place,” he said.

“I really admire Ali Brigginshaw’s decision, she’s basically saying ‘well if you’re going to do that then bugger yas, I’ll go and play in a competition, I’ll still be playing for Valleys and it might not be in the competition you’ve got’.”

Wally said the women standing with the club are living out the 'never give up’ spirit the club is named after.

Wally Lewis in his Valley Diehards shirt. Picture: Josh Woning
Wally Lewis in his Valley Diehards shirt. Picture: Josh Woning

“The Diehards as a club, I can quite honestly say if I had to make a choice out of the club that I felt displayed the greatest loyalty and one I was the most proud to represent it was the diehards, they never give up.”

The QRL stand by their decision and the process that was undertaken and believe the decision, while tough, is in the best interest for Women’s Rugby League long term.

“We are thrilled to increase our investment into the competition and look forward to providing

further support to all of our clubs to ensure they deliver high standard programs for players,

coaches and volunteers,” QRL competitions general manager Glenn Ottoway said.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrlw/wally-lewis-throws-support-behind-ali-brigginshaw-after-valley-diehards-scratched-from-qrlw/news-story/800f40d4fb55cd83bc6ed4b3ddc4c92e