Minor premiership in sight but grand final the goal for Broncos

The Broncos are no strangers to finals having won a record three-straight premierships between 2018-2020 and following their sixth-straight win over the Sharks last week, have their sights set claiming more silverware.

While a spot in next week’s finals is assured with Brisbane currently sitting in second spot on the ladder on 12 points alongside the Roosters and the Sharks, they are in a battle for the minor premiership and must win this week’s game against the Dragons to be in with a chance.

However, captain Ali Brigginshaw has said all season that her side were more focused on being there on grand final day and that the team always “strive for finals”.

“I've said this before, when you pull on this jersey there's no expectation but to make grand final day, so that's where our sights are set,” Brigginshaw said.

“We have got to get there and we're doing well so far.

“We always set our standard really high.”

Brigginshaw played in her milestone 40 NRLW game in the last-gasp win against the Sharks last week and credited her team’s recent run of success this season to their resilience and want to turn up for each other.

The effort and enthusiasm from her teammates has inspired her continue to push herself all season and has also helped her to continue enjoying her footy.

“Absolutely love it (playing this season); I love the grind mentality that the girls have,” Brigginshaw said.

“We’ve probably had teams (in the past) where we'd lose those sorts of games (against the Sharks), so I love how tough the girls have become and how much we wanted it.

“It's a really good team and it's exciting.

“The game's getting faster, so I’ve got to keep my calm head and I thought that was probably not one of my best games, I made quite a few errors, and it's something I've got to work on.

“But I'm just still enjoying my footy. I love the girls. They respect me, and we work really well together, so just love and being a part of it.”

There is no doubt that the inclusion of five-eighth Gayle Broughton has been a big boost for the Broncos, after the former Silver Fern missed the first two rounds of this season as she recovered from off-season back surgery.

In her six appearances this season, Broughton has scored two tries and produced one try assist and two-line break assists; but it is her leadership and quick decisions on the field that have had the most impact.

“I love Gayle, we complement each other well when I'm a bit hot headed and she's the calm head,” Brigginshaw said.

“Absolutely love playing with her, she's an excitement machine. Full credit to Gayle, absolutely love having her there.”

Excitement is what this upcoming round of footy is going to bring with plenty of games holding meaning, including for the Broncos on their trip down to take on the Dragons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

A win could secure them the minor premiership and Brigginshaw was hopeful her side could also use this match to test themselves and fine tune some areas before finals.  

“We need to find our groove,” Brigginshaw said. "We've had moments in games where we switch off, so I just want a good quality performance.

“I want us to follow our game plan, just that buy-in mentality. I just really want to finish off the regular season with a quality win.

“Getting there to the minor premiership, we've done it before, but our side’s are set up for grand final day.

“You want that silverware, you want that trophy; so we could tick off the minor premiership if we get the win next week, but I'm going for more.”