Brisbane sign Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Heather Ballinger for NRL women’s premiership
BRISBANE have got their women’s NRL side off to the best possible start by capturing the signatures of Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Heather Ballinger.
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THE Broncos have pulled off a massive coup ahead of the inaugural women’s NRL premiership, with the historic signings of Queensland stalwarts Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Heather Ballinger.
Brisbane will on Friday announce their first signings for the competition which kicks off in September and it is clear they are delivering on coach Paul Dyer’s promise to attract the best squad possible.
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Brigginshaw, Breayley and Ballinger are long-serving players for the Jillaroos and have also struck up a strong combination after years of playing together for Queensland.
The Broncos will also confirm the signing of Kiwi Ferns sensation Teuila Fotu-Moala, who has been linked with the club since February.
The four players will be a huge boost for the Broncos ahead of the inaugural season.
Breayley is the best No. 9 in the women’s game while veteran forward Ballinger is a tough prop that will bring plenty of aggression to Brisbane’s pack.
Backrower Fotu-Moala was named the player of the World Cup last year and has the nickname “The Jukebox” courtesy of Broncos great Darren Lockyer because the “hits just keep on coming”.
Meanwhile, Brigginshaw is the most experienced playmaker on the market and was named the player of the match in last year’s World Cup final.
The Ipswich Brothers half started playing rugby league at the age of 11 and still remembers to this day that some parents treated her presence like a joke.
But 17 years later, she will achieve a lifelong dream that she never thought was possible when she pulls on the Broncos jersey.
“I never thought anyone would give us women the opportunity to play for these NRL clubs,” Brigginshaw told The Courier-Mail.
“It’s a big thing. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. The minute I’m standing there, pulling my jersey on for the first time, ready to run out and play for the Broncos, that’s when it will be real.
“Those times (playing as a kid) were hard but with the amount of support I did have from family and friends, it made me keep pushing.
“I looked at them and thought, ‘yes, I’m the only girl but I’m going to prove I can play footy as good as the boys’.
“It means a lot to know that I’ve played since I was a little girl and finally I’ve achieved a dream that I never thought would be possible.
“We’re the first Broncos team so little girls will want to be just like us.”
The Broncos will also announce the signing of young Jillaroos half Caitlin Moran, who last month suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Moran moved from NSW to Brisbane earlier this year in a bid to play for the Broncos and work in their community department and the club wanted to honour that promise of a contract despite the injury.
Meanwhile, Brigginshaw, Breayley and Ballinger are expected to also be named in the Queensland team ahead of the State of Origin clash on June 22.
Originally published as Brisbane sign Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Heather Ballinger for NRL women’s premiership