New combination finds Bartlett and Johnson in tryscoring form

NRLW reigning premiers Brisbane are embracing a "next woman up mentality" to ensure they can continue to find success this season.

In Round 3 against Wests Tigers, the side were able to secure a big 40-12 win, with coach Scott Prince saying the mentality had enabled his side to build on their title victory of last year.

“A lot of people have been talking about the players we’ve lost, but I’ve just been really impressed with the girls that have stood up,” Prince said. 

New players has meant new combinations, with their left edge of Kerri Johnson (wing) and Georgia Bartlett (centre) striking form, with the pair crossing for six tries in three matches. 

“That little combination … it’s been good, but I know it can get better which is pleasing for us," Prince said. 

“I’ve been really really impressed with the way she’s [Bartlett] has gone about her business, and it comes with no surprise.

"She works hard at training, really keen on learning the game and it’s a credit to her and the way she’s playing.”  

But according to Bartlett, the dynamic duos success can be credited to the instant click which has built a positive relationship outside of footy. 

“Kerri and I have bonded quite nicely off the field, which also helps implementing that on the field. So I think that's been the main thing,” Bartlett said. 

“We've just built a really good connection off the field which just made its way onto the field, which is great.

"I'm super fortunate to play outside of her.

"She's got really good communication. I always know she's got my back and likewise, I've got hers.”

As for Johnson, she believes the professionalism her squad shows, along with their want and enthusiasm to be better, could become the difference come end of season. 

Setting her own goals, Johnson’s main focus is to become the best version of herself whilst learning off some of the best women’s rugby league players.

“I just set overall goals at the start of the season and most of it is to just to be better than last year,” Johnson said.

“I just want to run aggressive, I want to get the ball a little bit more.

"I want to be better at high catches and then taking it into contact.

“Yeah, I got quite a bit to do," she said with a laugh. 

“But I’ve got GB [Bartlett] next to me and she has got such great IQ of the game, she’s from touch.

"She can see a lot, and she is always yelling or if I’m yelling she’s listening, so it’s great.” 

With five tries and six line breaks in just three matches, Johnson is on track to out perform last years stats. 

Fresh off a Round 3 victory against the West Tigers, the Broncos duo have next turn their focus to the upcoming match against the third-placed Newcastle Knights. 

“They are looking really good this year, so we will have to go out there and play really hard," Johnson said.

"I think just for me and GB [Bartlett], we’ve just got to still play our game, still stay calm and we've just got to run harder.” 

As for Bartlett, she believes “it will be a tough battle”.

“The Knights are a really awesome club and really powerful club as well, so we're up for the challenge," Bartlett said. 

“We just need to keep competing, that’s the main thing.

"That's what Princey loves about all us girls.

"It's that we love to compete and combining all that together is just the huge bonus to winning games and hopefully winning premierships.

“But we're just going to do some recovery this week, and prep as it comes closer to the game."