Greenkeeper out to make turf her own in NRLW decider
- Author
- Timestamp
Raecene McGregor often gets a laugh out of Brad Fittler's analogies when it comes to describing the length of turf on a field during commentary.
McGregor is one of few players who can relate to Fittler's comments with the Broncos playmaker an apprentice greenkeeper in Sydney's south-west when she's not directing her forward pack around the park or delivering a cut-out pass for a try.
The Broncos five-eighth shifted to Brisbane for the second NRLW season and she now has the chance to upset her former club on the biggest stage after a stint with the Dragons in their inaugural campaign last year.
"I want to repay the Broncos for getting me up here with hopefully another title," McGregor told NRL.com.
"They had great success last year and the players that did stay played a big part there. To be around those girls has been great and we want to do everything we can to have the same success."
McGregor has relished the chance to play alongside Jillaroos five-eighth Ali Brigginshaw and offer a sold support role as the side pushes towards back-to-back titles at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
The pair are usually lining up opposite each other at the international level with McGregor the incumbent Kiwi Ferns No.7.
Match: Broncos v Dragons
Grand Final -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Dragons
2nd Position
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
"I was a little bit scared to meet Ali at first because I didn't know what she would be like but she's so relaxed it's been good,' McGregor said.
"To play with someone of her calibre, why would I turn that down? It was a late decision to come over to the Broncos.
"During that time I was leaning a lot towards going to the Warriors because I knew the girls there and was comfortable.
"But I spoke to Kelvin and he spoke to me about the plans they had for me and it was something I couldn't turn down.
"I wanted to be taken out of my comfort zone and that's happened here at the Broncos."
With McGregor's employment in Sydney on hold for at least another week, she's one of the rare players who can put her feet up in between training sessions and games during the eight-week commitment.
She joked she might not have a job to go back to but said it made it easier when people can see her performances on TV.
"The game is growing and the girls that have changed teams are doing it for a reason," McGregor said.
Every NRLW try from Round 3
"It can be tough, it's hard because you're on only a one-year deal, you can't lock players down and if you're not playing well you might not be able to get a chance.
"My managers at work were a little bit hesitant at first because I was leaving the state but they came around in the end."
Tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2019 are now on sale to the general public.
Tickets are available through Ticketek and nrl.com/tickets.
