‘We before me’: Prince’s plan to restore Broncos to NRLW title contenders

After watching standards slip at the Broncos over the past two seasons, head coach Scott Prince wants to bring pride back to the NRLW jersey and trophies back into Queensland cabinets.

Broncos NRLW coach Scott Prince and stalwart Ali Brigginshaw are determined to bring glory back to Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Scott Prince was there for Brisbane’s glory days of three-straight NRLW premierships and he’s hated watching them slip further away from success in recent seasons.

Now, ahead of the biggest NRLW season yet, the ex-Queensland halfback and club legend is in charge of restoring some ferocity back into the Broncos jumper.

After assistant coaching with the club and various other roles within the women’s system, the NRL premiership winner is now head coach of the Broncos NRLW side.

And he wants them back winning titles.

“It’s getting the players’ application to every training session, knowing what being a Broncos player is as far as who we are and who we stand for, and that’s lifting the level and lifting the standards,” he said.

The Broncos started the NRLW competition with a bang, winning the first three titles in a row, losing one game in their first 15 as a side. But then they lost the 2021 semi-final, and missed the finals completely in 2022 with just one win for the entire season.

For Prince, it was hard to watch a powerhouse go out with a whimper.

Scott Prince has gone from Broncos’ NRLW assistant to head coach. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Over the past couple of years, to see that creeping in, it was hard to watch from afar,” he said.

“Now given control and given the staff and players that we have, we definitely recruited players who would always put the team first and were willing to work hard.

“I’m really big on that. Putting the ‘we’ before ‘me’.

“If we can do that and have our standards high, we want to be that consistent team where we know we’re close to our best week-in and week-out. That’s the culture we’re getting back to, getting back to the Broncos that we were, and adding value with the players that we added.

“The standards are high and we want to keep it that way.”

But it’s not just the Broncos. The entire state of Queensland is undergoing a restoration process.

The Gold Coast was brought in for the first expansion of the competition in 2021, which broke up the Broncos stronghold on the women’s game in Queensland.

They finished third that season, but last in 2022, while North Queensland is the brand new franchise in the latest expansion this season.

NRLW titles have been won at Sydney Roosters and Newcastle in the years since the Broncos’ three-peat, but Queensland in general wants back in on the winning action.

The Titans have been busy in the player market, signing Jillaroo Shaylee Bent. Picture: Getty Images.

The Titans have gone hard in the player market, signing Jillaroos stars Shaylee Bent and Taliah Fuimaono from the Dragons, pinching Origin wingers Jaime Chapman and Emily Bass from the Broncos and luring Niall Williams-Guthrie into a code switch from New Zealand Rugby 7s.

The Cowboys have started fresh with local talent, but the addition of premiership winners Tallisha Harden (Broncos) and Kirra Dibb (Knights) to lead the new era.

For their part, the Broncos have also recruited well with ex-New Zealand rugby star Gayle Broughton joining to play in the halves, as well as Origin stars Romy Teitzel (Knights), Destiny Brill (Roosters) and Tazmin Gray (Titans).

It’s not just about restoring pride in the Broncos, but bringing excellence back to Queensland on the back of their State of Origin win this year.

 “Back when I played, rugby league was all centralised around NSW and Sydney, so anytime you got Queensland representation, we’re very proud of that,” Prince said.

“It gives a younger generation a chance to play their footy. It gives them a platform or a club where they don’t have to move south to get an opportunity.”

Queensland rivalries will be no problem either.

There’s already a healthy one brewing between the Titans and the Broncos, which has been ramped up by the player transfers this season.

“We’ve had girls at the Broncos move to other clubs, and having the Gold Coast Titans just down the road, that rivalry will be a good one,” Prince said.

“That stems from, not only the men’s program and the big brother and little brother thing, there’s now the big sister and little sister thing. That’s natural. It’s great to see, it’s brings excitement to the state.

“That movement is good for the comp, it spreads the talent around.”

Captain Brigginshaw will again be key for the team’s chances. Picture: Liam Kidston

State of play for Queensland’s NRLW chances

Broncos

2022 finish: 5th (missed finals) 1 win, 4 losses

Key recruits: Gayle Broughton (Eels), Romy Teitzel (Knights), Destiny Brill (Roosters), Tazmin Gray (Titans)

Key losses: Amber Hall (Roosters), Tarryn Aiken (Roosters), Jaime Chapman (Titans), Emily Bass (Titans), Tallisha Harden (Cowboys)

TAB premiership odds: $5

Titans

2022 finish: 6th (last) 1 win, 4 losses

Key recruits: Taliah Fuimaono (Dragons), Shaylee Bent (Dragons), Jaime Chapman (Broncos), Emily Bass (Broncos), Niall Williams-Guthrie (New Zealand Rugby 7s)

Key losses: Tazmin Gray (Broncos), Madison Bartlett (Raiders), Emily Curtain (Wests Tigers), Apii Nicholls (Raiders)

TAB premiership odds: $9

Cowboys

2022 finish: Debut season

Key recruits: Tallisha Harden (Broncos), Kirra Dibb (Knights), Emma Manzelmann (Knights), Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly (Knights)

Key losses: n/a

TAB premiership odds: $15

Originally published as ‘We before me’: Prince’s plan to restore Broncos to NRLW title contenders