Parker becomes first talent ID triallist to earn NRL contract

Muswellbrook product Brydie Parker has become the first player recruited by an NRL club through the women's Talent ID day held in May.

The Sydney Roosters have picked up the 18-year-old, who was also courted by Brisbane after excelling through the fitness and skills-based programs on the Gold Coast.

An outside back, she registered along with 150 hopefuls and caught the eye of Roosters coach Adam Hartigan and programs manager Craig Walker with strong results across the board.

Parker will be unveiled by the Roosters next week and join the 22-player squad for the side's first training session on July 30.

"It's all a massive shock, I just thought I would go up there to the Gold Coast and give it a crack," Parker told NRL.com.

"I saw the talent ID opportunity and thought it would be cool. It was an unreal experience, so many girls there, it was a real eye-opener.

"To be identified out of everyone there I was overwhelmed. I did well with the benchmarks which is what I was excited about. I'd never done a 30-15 shuttle test before so that was a shock to me. But I thought all the testing was unreal.

"A couple of clubs got in contact with me after that."

The Broncos were so eager to sign the Hunter Valley product they approached Parker on the day.

"They offered the world to me," Parker said.

"But when it came to reality I am in my first year of university and a lot of it was about location living in Sydney with my family. I knew of some of the girls in the Roosters side too so I felt a bit more comfortable going there.

"Craig and Adam rang me a couple of days after talent ID day and we sat down to talk about everything.

"I was a bit shy when we had our first meeting with the rest of the squad, I know their faces and names from the television but they don't know me.

"It's a bit like I know who they are but I need to introduce myself. But they're all so lovely and we're all going to get along well."

Parker recently returned home to Sydney after two weeks in North Africa for a rugby sevens tournament. She lodged her contract with the Roosters on Friday.

"The family is NRL crazy, me playing rugby sevens was random, we'd never had anything to do with union before," Parker said.

"But there just weren't many opportunities in Muswellbrook for women's rugby league players until we moved to Sydney.

"So I went into rugby sevens not really knowing how to play and enjoyed that challenge. Whereas with rugby league I know the game, it's not like I'm being thrown in and learning the rules as I go this time.

"I've been a part of rugby sevens for more than three years now but I thought league would be cool to give a go now and the right time as there are exciting times kicking off."

Walker was confident Parker would feature heavily across the women's NRL premiership.

"Brydie stood out as very athletic initially. She moved well and looked to have a good turn of speed," Walker said. 

"She also looked to have a good sense for the game, placing herself in the right positions to receive the ball, that is always a hallmark of good players.

"We see Brydie as an outside back and whilst we are well covered in this position, we think she will have no problem playing at this level and we are excited to see how she will go."