Maroons star Annette Brander joins Broncos for 2019 NRLW season
Brisbane’s bid for back-to-back NRLW premierships have taken a big step forward, following the capture of Queensland Origin star and sought-after lock forward Annette Brander.
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The Broncos have secured the signature of Queensland Origin star Annette Brander for the 2019 NRLW season.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the Caboolture junior will be announced as the club’s most recent signing, adding to the current squad of premiership-winning players such as Meg Ward, Ali Brigginshaw and Steph Hancock.
The sought-after lock forward turned down an offer from the Broncos last year to play for St George Illawarra in the inaugural NRLW season and was a standout of the competition.
But the 26-year-old — who won the Players’ Player for Queensland last year — revealed the opportunity to move back home to play for the Broncos was too enticing to turn down.
She said moving south was a chance for her to “get out of her comfort zone” but she wanted to return to Brisbane in their quest for back-to-back premierships.
“Broncos is a team that I’ve always followed, so to be a part of the club this year is very exciting,” Brander said.
“Moving down to the Dragons was a big decision for me and something I needed to do to get myself out of my comfort zone. I went down there and had a blast.
“Last year, having so many friends at the Broncos, I felt like I missed out on some of the fun so I really wanted to be a part of that.
“It came down to the fact I live in Brisbane and I work here. I have a lot of family and friends here so I’m really looking forward to representing the Broncos.”
The announcement comes a day before Brander heads into Camp Maroon ahead of next week’s Women’s State of Origin clash.
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