In her final press conference before retirement, rugby league legend Ali Brigginshaw has called on the NRL to create a separate chief executive for the women’s game.
As she prepares for a fairytale finish hoping to win back-to-back premierships with Brisbane, Brigginshaw knows the NRLW still has much growing to do.
At today’s official pre-grand final press conference, the Bronco was asked to put herself at the desk of newly crowned executive chairman Peter V’landys.
“If there’s someone in charge of the [women’s] game, maybe someone that plays the game, not me, maybe Millie,” Brigginshaw joked about her fellow retiring grand finalist, the Roosters’ Millie Elliott.
“Just someone that knows the game and what we’ve been through.
“We try to shape our game exactly [how] the men do, but there’s nothing saying we have to just follow in those footsteps.
“We can go in a different direction, we can do what we want to do and what’s best for the [NRLW] players and the staff.”
Ali Brigginshaw was given a guard of honour for Brisbane’s last home game. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)
The women’s game is currently managed by the chief executive of the NRL. In contrast, the AFLW has always had its own dedicated leadership, currently headed by Laura Kane.
It was not the only major innovation suggested at today’s fan event, with tributes to Brigginshaw also on the agenda.
“She will be remembered in the game for such a long time, and I really hope that they name an award after Ali,” Broncos coach Scott Prince said.
The 2020 Dally M medallist has captained her state and country and now leaves behind a legacy that even her fiercest rivals admire.
“Ali’s been a pioneer of our game for a very long time now, and I’ve been really lucky to know Ali for a number of years and play with her and experience her as a leader as well,” Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly said.
Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly paid credit to the retiring Ali Brigginshaw. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
She also shared plenty of praise for her own retiring teammates Corban Baxter and Elliott, the 2022 Dally M medallist.
“[Millie] never stops; she’s always putting her best foot forward. She promotes the game in such a positive and respectful light that so many young girls look up to.
“Corban, she’s the most humble, beautiful human that I think has just put such a landmark on this game.”
Meanwhile, the Roosters will make a last-second decision on winger Jayme Fressard as she races the clock to have her shoulder right for grand final day.
The Blues representative picked up a shoulder injury in last week’s win over Canberra and did not return to the field after half-time.
A final decision will be made after the captain’s run tomorrow, with coach John Strange rating Fressard a “50-50” chance of playing.
“A little niggle, a few fitness tests to still get through, but hopefully looking good,” Strange said.
“I just really want to be present this week and do everything that I need to do to be the best athlete as possible.”
AAP
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