Brisbane Broncos warn against rapid women’s expansion
INAUGURAL NRLW champions Brisbane are wary of plans to expand the four-team competition.
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INAUGURAL NRLW champions Brisbane are wary of plans to expand the four-team competition.
The Broncos arrived back in Brisbane following their historic 34-12 grand final win over the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
The champion squad went undefeated through the short season but Brisbane coach Paul Dyer said the competition needed to strengthen before any expansion plans take place.
“I’m one of those people who think we should take our time with it,” he said.
“Until we’re in a position that we can financially support these girls to be away from their families and away from their workplaces longer, I don’t think we should expand.
“I am one of those ones that is a bit concerned that if we rush this we’ll end up in a worse place than we are. The only people who would be worse off is the girls.”
The four teams played each other once during the regular season, with the top two meeting in the decider.
It’s understood the NRLW will be assessed next year before a decision is made on whether to add more teams.
Dyer said the success of this year’s competition was proof it should remain as it is.
“This competition has been pretty even,” he said.
“A lot of the results have been even. On any given day, you didn’t know who was going to win. I think that was part of the excitement around the competition.”
Broncos centre Meg Ward wasn’t aware of any expansion plans, but was excited for whatever came next year.
“We’ll come back next season and I have no idea what we’re going to be doing, what this comp will be doing, the expansion or where we’re going, but I’m just so excited to be on this journey with the girls,” she said.
Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw said her team planned to be “bigger and better” next year regardless of whether changes were made to the competition.
“We didn’t play to our full potential and we can definitely be so much better,” she said.
“That’s what’s just so exciting about next year, ... we can bring so much more to the game. We only had eight weeks together. I’d hate to see what a whole year will bring. It will be scary to see how well the team can grow.”
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Originally published as Brisbane Broncos warn against rapid women’s expansion