Ali Brigginshaw says she always plays every game like it is her last – but this Sunday, she knows it to be a fact.
Announcing her intention to retire from the NRLW before this season kicked off, Brigginshaw and the Broncos have joked throughout about ‘Ali’s last lasts’.
But after knocking over the Titans in the preliminary final, that day has finally come, with Brisbane looking to go-back-to-back and send their four-time premiership winning former captain out with a fifth ring.
“There were a couple of conversations about retiring last year with a premiership, people were saying it was a good ending, but I had all the belief in this team that we were going to get there,” Brigginshaw said.
“You play rugby league to play for premierships.
“We went the hard road to get there but the hardest thing is getting there.
“You get there and you put yourself in the best position to compete and win it.
“It is a huge week and I am just excited to do it again because you never know when it is going to be your last ... and this will be my last.”
Another big appeal to staying on for one more season after holding the premiership trophy aloft last year was to help guide the next crop of Broncos, with many coming through their academy to earn NRLW debuts this year.
With a large turnover of players at the end of the 2025 season, including Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga, Annetta Nuuausala (Warriors), Keilee Joseph (Eels) and Shenae Ciesiolka (Dragons), the Broncos farewelled seasons worth of experience and leadership.
“It is kind of frustrating how people forget how many we lost,” Brigginshaw said.
“To win a premiership with them, the rebuild and get back here again and do it the hard way proves we have the right people here to give ourselves the best opportunity to be around it.
“How can you not be confident with the people you are playing with, the coach ... and there is all the confidence in the world with the recruitment.
“The old girls that have been there for a while and the new girls Jesse (Southwell), Tamika (Upton).
“I'm just pumped to watch them and be a part of it, but I have all the faith in the world we can get the job done.
“I am really proud of the girls.”
After sharing the role with Brigginshaw last year, Tamika Upton took on the sole captaincy this year but has praised her five-eighth’s continued leadership in the squad.
“It's obviously very important (to send her out on a high),” Upton said.
“She's turning up in these games and I feel like the people around her are turning up for her.
“It's all effort plays and it's not something we think about all the time until (journalists) ask me it at the end of the game!
“But at the end of the day, she's cherishing every single time we get to go to training, every time we get to go out in the field and you can tell it's showing.”
As well as Brigginshaw, this year’s grand final will also be the last for Roosters stalwarts Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott, who also won a premiership with Brisbane in 2019 and 2020. The duo have also both played alongside Brigginshaw in the Australian Jillaroos team.
“We are girls who have played the game for a long time and I know there is mutual respect there,” Brigginshaw said.
“I am proud of them and I know they are proud of me.
“They have had great careers, but I think in retirement they will be just as successful.
“May the best team win.”
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
3rd 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.
