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Dragons recruit Annette Brander fired up for battle with Broncos

THEY might be underdogs but St George Illawarra enforcer Annette Brander says there is no way she and her teammates “will be lying down” for the Broncos.

Annette Brander is tackled during the State of Origin match earlier this year.
Annette Brander is tackled during the State of Origin match earlier this year.

THEY might be underdogs but St George Illawarra enforcer Annette Brander says there is no way she and her teammates “will be lying down” for the Broncos in their first match of the NRL women’s premiership.

Maroons star Brander will face many of her representative teammates and friends in the clash.

“We are not lying down for this. Not giving an inch,” she said.

Annette Brander, Ali Brigginshaw and Brittany Breayley in Jillaroos mode.
Annette Brander, Ali Brigginshaw and Brittany Breayley in Jillaroos mode.

“We are seen as the underdogs for sure. Only five or six of us have come from a top 40 list.

“But that’s good for us. We have a lot to prove.

“I think we are ready. Over the last two weeks we have become exciting. It’s buzzing in the team.

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“We have all gelled really well and we will show up for each over on the field.”

St George Illawarra coach Daniel Lacey admits he has taken a gamble on his players but has every confidence they will live up to his expectations in their first NRL women’s premiership outing in Brisbane today.

Annette Brander in attacking mode with the Maroons.
Annette Brander in attacking mode with the Maroons.

“I’ll have egg on my face if these girls don’t perform but I have full confidence in them,” Lacey said of a squad of 22 where big names will play alongside unknowns, rugby converts and teenagers.

“We will definitely take the underdog tag but we are quietly confident.”

The Dragons meet a Broncos side confident off a big 48-14 win over the PNG Orchids in a trial game last Sunday.

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“In my opinion they are the best team in the competition, definitely on paper. They have recruited really well,” Lacey said of the game hosts.

“They have 16 internationals in their 17, they have the connections from the Queensland team, they are very structured and they will work hard.

“I am happy to fly under the radar for a bit. It wasn’t a deliberate ploy.

“I’m happy to put our girls out there and let their feats do the talking.”

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/dragons-recruit-annette-brander-fired-up-for-battle-with-broncos/news-story/63d5948785c868263b4b77bf57bfd6fc