As Brisbane’s first Indigenous NRLW captain, Tamika Upton is full of pride to lead her team out at home for their top-of-the-table Indigenous round clash against the Roosters.
Hailing from Central Queensland, the proud Barada woman also works for the club’s Beyond the Broncos program that focuses on improving school attendance and promoting pathways into further education, training and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
For Upton, taking part in Indigenous Round was extra special, with the club celebrating their home game at Suncorp Stadium as Deadly Choices Round.
“It's obviously a special feeling putting this jersey on, but being around my friends and family here at the club, is really special,” Upton said.
“It's incredible (being part of Indigenous Round) I think for any Indigenous player, but I think for the supporters as well.
“You see it, you see the celebration, all the fans getting around it.
“It's an incredible initiative with Deadly Choices to have these shirts, when you get your preventative health check, you get a free shirt, so I think we'll see a fair few of these running around town.
“I think more importantly we're just excited to get out in this round, rep the jersey that's done by the incredible Ladda Kaewhanam, and she's one of the girls from our Beyond the Broncos program, which is an initiative we have here at the club.
“It's the first time a student's actually designed this jersey, and I think she's done an incredible job with it.”
Upton was also recently crowned the best Indigenous Women's player in the 50 Years of Deadly fan vote.
This Saturday afternoon however, her attention will be on the grand final rematch against an in-form Roosters, with her side looking to bounce back from last week’s shock loss to the Raiders.
“It's always a good game to play at Suncorp, double header, which is incredible, we absolutely love playing before the boys,” Upton said.
“We’ve got the Roosters, it's a tough match-up.
“They're going really well at the moment and we've got a few things to work on this week after the loss on the weekend, but we'll get into training … and start our week fresh.”
With no Ali Brigginshaw – who is to sit out two more games with suspension – and missing premiership-winning take Jada Ferguson, the home side will be without some of their more experienced campaigners.
Georgia Bartlett has again been named to fill in at five-eighth, with fellow 2026 debutant Rhemy Hinckesman in the starting nine jersey.
Raiders v Broncos - Round 6, 2026
However, in a boost for the side, gun centre Julia Robinson has been named to play, despite being unable to finish the match in the loss to the Raiders.
“The knee's all sweet,” Upton told reporters on Tuesday. “She's got to get a few things done this week in training, but she's tough, she'll be back bigger than ever and I'm expecting a big game from her.”
The Broncos v Roosters will kick off the double header at Suncorp Stadium, with the Broncos v Warriors Round 24 NRL game to close out the evening.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
2nd Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
