Broncos captain’s journey to the grand final
BRISBANE Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw started playing at age 10, rising through the ranks with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans and Chris Sandow. After being forced to give rugby league up when she turned 12, she’s now about to make history.
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BRISBANE Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw has gone from playing rugby league on fields with no lights to the bright lights of ANZ Stadium.
Today, Brigginshaw will lead the Broncos’ NRLW team on to the famous pitch in Sydney.
It is a field with a rich history but a new chapter will be written for the history books today and it will all start with Brigginshaw and her Broncos when they play in the inaugural NRLW grand final against the Roosters.
For Brigginshaw, 28, the progression is a sign of how far things have come.
She started playing at age 10, rising through the ranks with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans and Chris Sandow before she was forced to give rugby league up after turning 12.
When she returned in 2009, she was playing purely for the love of it.
She was not paid for her efforts for Queensland or Australia and often had to pay for her own medical bills, rehab and more.
She had to fight back from a serious broken leg in 2015, using muay thai and boxing at Corporate Box Gym in Ipswich to rediscover her confidence.
For her to see where she is today is surreal.
“There were times when we were in New Zealand playing on fields with no lights,” she said. “Sometimes it feels crazy that we’re here today and we’ll play in ANZ Stadium.
“We did have it tough but we appreciate everything that we have. That (injury) has framed the person I am today … I think it was meant to be.
“I was meant to break my leg in 2015. Before that I took the game for granted and now I don’t.”
One of the league’s biggest stars, Brigginshaw knows today will be a highlight of her career, no matter the outcome.
“Leading these girls out … they have been amazing and I’m so grateful to be the leader of them,” she said. “When they walk on the field, their lives are going to change. It’s a life-changing moment for all of us.”
Originally published as Broncos captain’s journey to the grand final
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