Ali Brigginshaw speaks ahead of Sunday’s NRLW grand final
Ali Brigginshaw grew up in Ipswich as your typical Broncos fan. Now the club’s NRLW skipper is leading the club into a new era of football dominance. Read her Q&A here.
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Brisbane Broncos star Ali Brigginshaw, who has the chance to win another NRLW premiership on Sunday, has come a long way from playing footy in her Ipswich backyard.
She speaks to Chris Honnery about the opportunity to represent one of Australia’s biggest clubs, how footy has changed for women since she was a kid, and how she switches off in her down time.
You’re playing in back-to-back NRLW grand finals this weekend. Describe how that feels.
It’s something I thought never would have happened coming in last year. We weren’t expected to go through as undefeated premiers and now to be in the grand final again, with the team we have, we’ve really come together. We’ve shown everyone we’re the defending premiers and that we deserve to be there.
And to do so for the Broncos, why is that so important to you?
I’ve just always been a Broncos girl. Growing up in Ipswich, it’s just something that has been massive in my life. To be able to play in that Broncos jersey, whether that’s in a grand final or any game, it means so much to me. It means so much to the club and all these girls to be out there playing in that jersey. We have so much support and you can really feel it when you run out on that field.
All that support says a lot about where the NRLW is at, at the moment, doesn’t it?
Absolutely and it’s going to go further. The game is just building. We’ve got so many new girls this year and I think every year from now on, you’re going to see a new group of girls. For the game, everyone is giving their best performances. All four teams have really come together and shown a really quality piece of the women’s game.
What do you have to do to beat the Dragons on Sunday?
Play through their middle. Attacking-wise, we have the best forwards in the game so they’re going to have to stop our forward pack.
You suffered your first ever NRLW loss against the Warriors last weekend. What was the mood like in the sheds?
It was devastating to lose but it had to come at some point. The Warriors played with so much passion and a want to win. We could really feel that out there. A couple of calls didn’t go our way but we didn’t perform at our best so we didn’t deserve to win that game.
All this is quite a long way from playing footy in your Ipswich backyard. Did you ever imagine footy could bring you to this point?
Definitely not. When I first started, we were playing on little fields on the side of a road. To actually be playing in stadiums, it’s amazing. I don’t mind where I play football, like a lot of people, we just love the game, whether we’re playing in Ipswich or a big stadium.
Speaking of playing in Ipswich, do you ever reflect on those Queensland Primary Schools Rugby League carnivals where your name on the program listed you as “Ali (female) Brigginshaw”?
We’ve definitely come a long way. I was a part of that building process and I wouldn’t have changed anything. I played alongside some great guys who taught me and was coached by some great coaches. Everything happens for a reason and I’m glad there are competitions now where girls don’t have to have that girl tag beside their name.
You’ve also got some great support in your partner Kate. How important is it to have her by your side?
She’s very supportive. She’s always there. When you have a partner who is supportive of you, it makes it easier. I’m away a lot. Football has been spoken about every time I walk out the house now. She enjoys days off but she’s very supportive.
You look after Kate’s two kids as well. What is that like to juggle playing footy and looking after those kids?
It’s different to what I’m used to but it’s an awesome switch-off. We get days off and I get to really enjoy taking my mind off footy and look after the kids. They get so excited to go to the park and those little things away from rugby league. They get a huge kick out of seeing me on the TV screen, except I don’t think they really understand how or why I’m there. Once they’re older, it would be pretty cool to take them to the games.
There are quite a few mothers playing in the NRLW as well. How inspirational is that to be able to juggle both workloads?
We have a lot of mums playing. Rugby league is open to any size, any age of women. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bigger girl, an older girl, there’s always a place here. Even if you have kids.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I don’t. Lots of the girls listen to their music and do their thing but I always like to be strapped first and ready to go. I have to be on the physio bench first getting strapped up. I don’t listen to music or anything either. Everyone knows that so no-one really sits near me.
So you seriously do get your game face on?
I just like to prepare and think about the game. I’m kind of a serious person.
QUICK OFF THE MARK
Coffee order? Latte with one sugar.
First car? Mitsubishi Lancer.
Best advice? Just because you’re a girl, doesn’t mean you can’t play rugby league.
Rugby league idol? Karyn Murphy is probably my idol, but I grew up watching Allan Langer.
Who plays you in, “Ali Brigginshaw: The Movie”? Cameron Diaz.
Favourite TV show? At the moment, the Kardashians.
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