Dragons gun Annette Brander happy to hit road for Broncos NRLW match
JILLAROOS enforcer Annette Brander says hitting the road for their first game of the NRL women’s premiership has played into the hands of the St George Illawarra Dragons
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JILLAROOS enforcer Annette Brander says hitting the road for their first game of the NRL women’s premiership has played into the hands of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Brander, who hails from Brisbane and has played beside most players in the Broncos, says the road trip will help fast track team bonding in a Dragons team where the majority of players met for the first time last month.
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“Having an away game does give you those extra opportunities to bond with the travel, the ”If we had played in Sydney we wouldn’t have had this and I think it will be really good for us. I think it will work in our favour.’’
Gun forward Brander, a stand out for the Maroons in the State of Origin earlier this year, is the one that got away from the Brisbane Bronco.
Originally offered a contract with the Broncos, an early favourite for the inaugural title, she opted to instead travel south to play under coach Daniel Lacey at the Dragons.
“He called me the day I went into Origin camp and I asked for a week to think about it. He was really good about that,’’ she said.
“I played Origin and then I got a call from the Broncos.
“I would have said 100 per cent at the start of the year I would be with the Broncos.
“But there was something about the Dragons. They were really accommodating. I feel like I was part of something special.
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“I also like the whole challenge of moving to another state and playing with new people was good for my personal development. ‘’
Brander said the Dragons are expecting speed and big hits from the Broncos when they match-up at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday ahead of the men’s NRL finals match.
“I just can’t wait to get out there. I am pumped,’’ she said.
“I am a really competitive person. I think playing against mates will make me more competitive because I want to go one up.’’