A football manager, club director, even a coach... all these are tempting for Ali Brigginshaw as she contemplates her future connection with rugby league despite ending her 16 year-career as a player.
She already has a meeting room named after her at Broncos’ Red Hill headquarters in Brisbane after bringing the club four NRLW premiership trophies.
And after being chaired off the Accor Stadium field following the NRLW grand final, Brigginshaw will begin 2027 as a Broncos club ambassador alongside other greats like Justin Hodges, Steve Renouf and Petero Civoniceva.
But Brigginshaw is aiming a little higher and further with her post-playing goals than merely working with sponsors and members.
A more hands-on role in the administration of the women’s game is what she’s after especially from her viewpoint of beginning her first-class career in 2011 as a 22-year-old on debut for Australia - a clear seven years before the NRLW competition came into existence.
Roosters v Broncos – Grand Final, 2026
“I feel like because I’ve played in the pre-NRLW time and now after a decade of NRLW I feel like I’ve learnt a lot from those years and what the girls need in the game,” Brigginshaw told NRL.com.
She is thinking her skills set would be valuable at club, state or NRL headquarters levels.
“If someone could help guide me in that direction – a mentor or something like that – I’d be more than open to it,” she said.
“I’m very passionate about the women’s space and I want to see it get to where it needs to get to.”
Brigginshaw call the hardest to make
Using her knowledge of working with players of different ages and developments, Brigginshaw is in a good position to apply for a NRLW head coach or assistant coach role – but she sees that being a few years away, perhaps as the game is ready to expand from the current 12-team competition.
“I will obviously look at coaching down the track but for now I want to spend time with the family,” she said.
“Coaches spend a lot of time away from their family. If I was going into coaching and going to be at the club just as much then I’d still be playing.”
What also holds some attraction is perhaps a football manager or even a seat of power – becoming a director on the Brisbane Broncos board or even at the Gold Coast Titans.
“I love the Broncos but I’m also best friends with Murph (Titans head coach Karyn Murphy)," Brigginshaw said.
“We’ve had some really cool moments together and she’s someone I hold up very highly.
Brigginshaw seals the win
“I just want to be in and around the game and buy into what the next changes are that need to happen.
“I think my experience across the years, of both eras really, gives a lot of good perspective and knowledge.
“I’m not going in there to complain – I just want the girls to have the best of the best, or in other words get to professionalism as quick as they can.
“If I can put some support around that aim I will, because I feel like since I’ve been around a long time I’ve got a lot of respect of people within the game.”
But first she must flush two disappointments – Broncos losing the grand final and her omission from the Jillaroos 2026 World Cup squad.
Roosters v Broncos - Grand Final, 2025
“Just be around the family... enjoying them and looking forward to nights at home where I can cook dinner and we can watch a movie on the couch together,” she said of time with wife Kate and children Addison and Alfie.
“It hurts (losing grand final) but you’d rather lose to the best.
“The Roosters put on a near-perfect performance – the loss from last year really burnt a hole in them and they came out and played awesome."
