Broncos sign four more players for inaugural NRL women’s premiership
DUAL-code athlete Tallisha Harden is the latest player to sign up for the Broncos’ inaugural women’s premiership, turning her back on rugby union to join the team she supported as a child.
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DUAL-code athlete Tallisha Harden’s decision to walk away from rugby union has been justified after she signed with the Brisbane Broncos for the inaugural NRL premiership.
Brisbane has revealed their next wave of marquee player signings, with Harden to be joined in the Broncos line-up by Jillaroos trio Chelsea Baker, Kody House and Meg Ward.
The latest announcement follows last week’s revelation that the club have locked up Brittany Breayley, Heather Ballinger, Ali Brigginshaw, Teuila Fotu-Moala and injured half Caitlin Moran for the September competition.
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Versatile forward Harden was thrilled to have been signed by her favourite NRL club, but the contract was also a reward for her dedication to rugby league.
Harden has played rugby union since she was 19 and was offered a place with the Queensland Reds squad for their Super W season earlier this year.
But instead she chose to dedicate herself to her blossoming rugby league career, not only knocking back her Super W opportunity, but also walking away from her beloved Sunnybank club.
“It was really quite hard to have to choose,” the Burleigh Bears skipper told The Courier-Mail.
“I started out playing rugby union but I have started to kick some goals with rugby league.
“Sometimes I was playing two games on the same day, back-to-back and it took a really big toll on my body and also emotionally.
“It turned into a case of having to turn my back on one and pursuing rugby league.
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“It was quite hard because the rugby union and NRL announcements came quickly together (in December last year) … but in that particular time in my life, it was time to give rugby league a go.
“As soon as I mentioned I had an opportunity with rugby league, the (Reds) really encouraged me to go and take it.
“Two years ago I never would have thought it possible. In the last two weeks it’s all become a reality but I’m still pinching myself. If it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
The 25-year-old speech pathologist was also last week named in the women’s Queensland team.
She said she grew up supporting the Broncos and has now convinced her partner and former Burleigh teammate Sasha Mahuika to also jump on the Brisbane supporter bandwagon, despite being a lifelong Warriors fan.
Originally published as Broncos sign four more players for inaugural NRL women’s premiership