Broncos backrower Lauren Dam said a desire for redemption helped fuel her side to a dominant display in their preliminary final win against the Titans, with the team’s hunger high to go back-to-back this year.
Dam scored a try as the Broncos scored a 20-8 win over their Queensland derby rivals in front of a 7000-plus crowd at Cbus Super Stadium, snuffing her debut club’s grand final hopes.
After going down to them during the regular season in Round 5 and with a grand final berth on the line, Dam said the side came into this game with an aggressive mindset.
“I guess we really paid attention to what we've been practicing at training, we really wanted this and it came down to, 'how hungry are we?'," Dam said.
“Our word for the week was redemption, so we really wanted to get redemption against them and play our game and don't fall into any of their traps.
“We just really wanted to play and stick to our structures and having everyone there doing their role, their responsibilities, really made it a pretty good game to play.
Lauren Dam Try
“All the girls were getting around each other, the energy, so that's really what helped us and a make it a fun game to play.
“We all come to play rugby league for one purpose – it is to have fun, but win – and we really want to get to the end goal again.
“We just don't want to play footy just to play footy, we want to go in there and be our tougher selves, and win the grand final, get to the big dance, so that's what we've really been focusing on.
“It pretty much comes down to who really wants it, how bad do we want it?
“I guess it's our own personal strengths getting out there and getting the job done.”
Having been part of Brisbane’s premiership tilt last season, Dam had some idea of the week to come and the celebrations that are tied in to the preparations.
However, she said having three of Brisbane’s ‘OGS’ in Ali Brigginshaw, Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Julia Robinson who are gunning for their fifth premiership and captain Tamika Upton who is striving for her sixth, having already claimed three for Brisbane and two with Newcastle, helped to stay focused.
“It's so helpful having some of the experience from the OG girls,” Dam said.
“They help us keep you really grounded, they give us little tips and tricks on how to handle our emotions and just telling us to stay off social media and hanging around with family.
“So, it's really good to have that, they keep us really grounded, keep us calm.
“They get us to know our roles and responsibility, what we're here for, to play footy and to get to the big dance.
“I think that's really helpful having those experienced members in the team.”
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
After a thrilling finals series, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action on Sunday - live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
