NRLW has made years of juggling worth the effort
The arrival of the NRL Women’s Premiership this year delivered players like St George Illawarra captain Sam Bremner a competition on the big stage. This evening, at the Dally M Awards, they get their award for it too.
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TONIGHT is a crowning moment for female rugby league players. Years of toil are even more worth it.
The arrival of the NRL Women’s Premiership this year delivered players like St George Illawarra captain Sam Bremner a competition on the big stage.
This evening, at the Dally M Awards, they get their award for it too.
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While the Dally M female player of the year has been awarded since 2015, this year is the first time it is voted from their premiership competition, just as the men’s award is decided too.
Bremner only played in one match throughout the inaugural season because of injury, but to her being part of an NRL team made up for the disappointment of not getting on the field much.
“I’ve been playing for nine years and you go through stages where I struggle to juggle sometimes my own business and life and running a household and trying to have a social life and you think to yourself sometimes, why am I doing this? Why am I running myself ragged?” Bremner said.
“I think this NRLW premiership has been a point where I’ve been able to sit down and watch some footy and go, ‘this is why I did it’. This has been what everything has led to and what we’ve worked for.
“Obviously we have a lot to play for as it is, this (the Dally M), is just another thing we have that we can try to become better players for. It’s really exciting and another step forward for the women’s game.”
Bremner’s Dragons teammate Jessica Sergis is one of four nominees up for the 2018 award.
Previously the medal was decided from performances at representative level, but with voting solely on NRLW, young up-and-comers have a chance to take it out.
Sergis signalled her arrival during last year’s Interstate Challenge with a three-try effort but has battled injuries since then.
Even if she doesn’t take out the prize, Bremner expects her to be one of the top players in years to come.
“She’s definitely deserving of (the Dally M), she’s playing some great football and it’s good to see,” said Bremner, pictured at the Dragons’ spiritual home of Jubilee Stadium.
“She always had so much potential but she’s just a little unlucky when it came to injuries. Now she’s had some time to shine and show everyone what she’s capable of and she’s only young and playing great footy off the back of not playing a whole lot this year.
“Imagine what she can do when she’s had a lot more footy under her belt.”
Sergis will have to beat out a tough field with a representative from each of the other clubs in Brittany Breayley (Broncos), Taleena Simon (Roosters) and Krystal Rota (Warriors).
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