'Broke her own club record': Bremner sets tone for NRLW return

A record-breaking fitness test was all it took for Jillaroos legend Sam Bremner prove she's ready to make an instant impact in her comeback from retirement. 

The 32-year-old is set to play her first game since hanging up the boots after the 2022 World Cup after answering an SOS from the injury-hit Roosters. 

Coach John Strange opted against rushing Bremner into his side for last week's season-opener against the Knights but has not hesitated to call on the veteran to start at fullback for Sunday afternoon's clash with the Broncos at Allianz Stadium. 

If there were any doubts about the veteran's ability to thrive in a new era of women's rugby league, one fitness test was enough to dispel any concerns for the Roosters.

"She broke her own club record that she set a couple of years ago [in the fitness test]," Roosters halfback Tarryn Aiken said. "She came in and just smashed it. She took off in the first lap, we were thinking 'oh my god' and she just didn't slow down. 

"It's really good to have Sammy back. She adds a lot of energy to the group and a lot of experience."

Bremner was one of the pioneers of women's rugby league, playing a key role in the growth of the Helensburgh Tiger Lillies in the Illawarra competition. 

She was a foundation member of the St George Illawarra Dragons' inaugural NRLW team in 2018 before taking the 2019 season off to start a family. 

Bremner returned to the field in 2020 and retired in January 2023 as a three-time World Cup winner, State of Origin representative and one of the most decorated players in the game.

Standing alongside Bremner for much of the ride was former Helensburgh and Dragons teammate Kezie Apps. 

The duo laid the foundation for the Illawarra's rich pipeline of talent and shared in significant success at the elite level. 

Having witnessed firsthand how talented her close friend is, Apps, now the Wests Tigers captain, has no doubts Bremner will thrive in her return. 

"She's as elite as they come," Apps said. "She's been part of the elite level for such a long time. She doesn't know how to train any differently. She will slip straight in. 

"For Sammy to have three kids, come back and smash the fitness test, it's like she's never left. That's her as a person, she's incredible, an amazing athlete and an amazing person."

Bremner's return comes after the Roosters lost fullback Corban Baxter for the season to an ACL injury and outside back Brydie Parker for 6-8 weeks to a fractured arm in a pre-season trial. 

The blow saw Strange jump on the phone to Bremner, who had spent the first half of the year as an assistant coach for the NSW Women's State of Origin side. 

Now, she's eager to terrorise the Broncos in the second match of a Sunday afternoon double header at Allianz Stadium.