She was the Dragons' inaugural NRLW captain and scored the club's first ever try but on Friday night, Roosters fullback Sam Bremner will line up against the side that almost had her back this season.
On the eve of the 2021 Grand Final rematch at the newly renovated Allianz Stadium, it can be revealed that Bremner was set to line up for her third season in the Red V after agreeing to return to the Dragons.
Bremner’s passion for St George Illawarra was at the forefront of her mind but coach Jamie Soward could only offer her a role as a back-up option to both Emma Tonegato and St George Illawarra’s halves, and who could blame him.
The 30-year-old was over the line before making a last-minute decision to join the Roosters after captain Corban Baxter announced her pregnancy in June.
The sudden change of heart was brought on by Bremner’s ambition to get back to full flight as a fullback in the NRLW, something she would’ve struggled to do with the reigning Dally M Medallist Tonegato at the Dragons.
After two games it's been a win for both parties with Bremner hitting the ground running at her new club and Tonegato picking up where she left off from 2021.
“She definitely would’ve been a massive addition to our Dragons team but she’s got her own reasoning for why she went to the Roosters with positions open,” Dragons captain Kezie Apps said.
“It was sad for me, I've only ever played against her once in my life. I wanted her to stay but, with Emma here, that’s the nature of the sport now — no position is guaranteed anymore.
Pressure equals diamonds and the more we push each other to be better, the better the product is going to be.
Dragons captain Kezie Apps
“And also brave on her to have that courage to change clubs because she would’ve loved to have stayed at the Dragons after what she had done for us previously.
“She was a massive part of why the Dragons got up and running in the NRLW.”
Meanwhile, further north and it could’ve been a whole other story for the Broncos too if they were able to land Titans star Evania Pelite in the off-season.
The Olympic gold medal winner admits she seriously considered joining the three-time champions this season as the club searched for a replacement after Tamika Upton departed for Newcastle.
The Broncos explored the option of Tonegato but it was Pelite who was a far more realistic option.
“I did consider the Broncos as they’re a great club and I’ve played with a few of those girls in Origin now, but after having one season at the Titans I enjoyed it and wanted to go back,” Pelite said.
“It was one of those things you have to weigh up and with the changing of the coaching staff and I knew of a few new signings coming that was a big lure for me to stay.”
NRLW Teams: Broncos v Titans
While calls for Pelite to return to fullback began after the Titans’ opening round loss to the Dragons, the 27-year-old has had nothing but praise for former Kiwi Fern Apii Nicholls in the No.1 jersey.
Nicholls is returning from the birth of her child, which she had while New Zealand were in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Having Apii at the Titans, she’s such a talented fullback and at training, she’s really good,” Pelite said.
“I’m happy to play centre and she can stay fullback. She’s the fittest and fastest in the group. We can work together and feed off each other. I don't mind what position I play and I think we're still trying to work out what's best for me."
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