Introduction
Ali Brigginshaw Secures Historic Fourth NRLW Title for Brisbane Broncos Ahead of Planned Retirement Rugby league icon Ali Brigginshaw has further cemented her status as one of the game's most decorated players, captaining the Brisbane Broncos to a dramatic victory in the 2025 NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW) Grand Final. The Broncos secured the 22-18 win over the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, marking the club's fourth premiership and Brigginshaw's third title since 2020, solidifying a powerful legacy as the halfback looks toward her confirmed retirement at the close of the 2026 season. The victory re-establishes the Brisbane club at the pinnacle of the women’s competition and gives Brigginshaw a triumphant response to what has been described as one of the most challenging seasons of her career. The final fixture was a tight contest, seeing the Broncos, who had been in dominant control at the break, absorb a spirited fightback from the defending premiers. The Roosters managed to score three tries in ten minutes during the second half to take a lead, turning the game on its head. However, the Broncos rallied, capitalising on field position created by their experienced playmaker. Brigginshaw was instrumental in forcing a crucial line dropout in the 65th minute, maintaining pressure that ultimately led to Mele Hufanga’s winning try, which secured the 22-18 scoreline. The victory was not without late drama for the Broncos co-captain. In the final minutes, Brigginshaw made a game-defining leap to pluck a desperation chip kick out of the air, colliding heavily with a Roosters player before being sent from the field for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA). The injury proved inconsequential to the result, however, as the clock ran down immediately after the decisive final try.
Main Content
A Career Defined by Milestones and Resilience Brigginshaw, who turned 35 this year, has spent more than a decade at the forefront of women's rugby league, acting as a crucial bridge between the game’s amateur era and its current professional stature. She has led the Broncos since the inaugural NRLW season in 2018, guiding them to a historic three-peat of titles between 2018 and 2020. Her personal accolades include the Dally M Medal for female Player of the Year in 2020. This season, she also achieved a significant milestone, becoming one of the first three players in NRLW history to reach 50 career games. Beyond her club success, Brigginshaw has been a mainstay of the Australian Jillaroos and Queensland Maroons sides for over fifteen years. She has been a key player in Australia's Women’s Rugby League World Cup-winning campaigns, notably being named Player of the Match in the 2017 Final. She currently serves as captain for both Australia and Queensland. The halfback's longevity and success are testament to her commitment, particularly given the early obstacles she faced. At the age of 12, Brigginshaw was reportedly told she could no longer play rugby league due to her gender, a setback that led her to competitive Muay Thai and boxing before her eventual return to the professional league ranks in 2009. The Role Model and The Advocate Brigginshaw's influence extends far beyond her on-field performance.
She is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in advancing visibility and inclusion in the sport, particularly for the next generation of players. Her role as a Student Support Officer in her hometown of Ipswich highlights her dedication to mentoring young women, an effort she believes is her "most important work. " Reflecting on her journey and the growth of the women's game, Brigginshaw has acknowledged the profound difference between her debut years and the present day. Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, who has mentored the player since 2011, lauded her transformation into a powerful senior figure and advocate. "She's been a real link between the past and the present and she'll be a big part of the future," Donald has previously stated, praising her development as a leader. "They all look up to Ali because of what she does and how she does it. If they just follow her lead and they can become that team person earlier than what she has because of the growth of the game. " This visibility has, however, brought challenges. Following a difficult State of Origin period earlier in the 2025 season, the player’s family was subject to vile social media abuse. Speaking about the impact of the online attacks, Brigginshaw emphasised the emotional toll on her loved ones.
“To see my family and know how upset they were to see the things said about me, it’s probably why it hurt the most,” she said, while also expressing gratitude for the ensuing community support. The Outlook to 2026 Brigginshaw confirmed in August 2025 that she would retire at the conclusion of the 2026 season after signing a one-year contract extension with the Broncos. She outlined a clear focus for her final two seasons in the elite game. "I have decided that next year will be my last year," the captain told Fox League. "The whole goal about playing for another year is to win a premiership. That is my sole focus but I have decided that 2026 will be my last. " The 2025 Grand Final victory achieves that goal a season early, providing a remarkable climax to a career that is rapidly approaching its end. With her current club and representative contracts running until the close of 2026, the discussion now shifts to the legacy Brigginshaw will leave behind—not just as a champion halfback who helped secure three World Cups and four premierships, but as a pioneering figure whose resolve was crucial to the professionalisation and acceptance of women's rugby league across Australia.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide about ali brigginshaw provides valuable insights and information. Stay tuned for more updates and related content.
