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Broncos to fly in on NRLW grand final day

3 minute read

Brisbane will fly into Sydney on NRLW grand final day to keep their pre-match schedule in tact.

Brisbane coach Kelvin Wright has opted to fly into Sydney on game day to keep the schedule as normal as possible ahead of the NRLW grand final.

Like Melbourne Storm, the Broncos were given an exemption from the Queensland government to fly to Sydney a day early, but Wright is not taking any chances.

"It's just the routine, we feel like each week our routine has got better and that's what the players are used to," Wright said ahead of Sunday's clash with Sydney Roosters.

"If we came down we'd be stuck in a hotel until we needed to get to the game, so we felt if we'd be inside, we'd rather be at our own training facility.

"The travel has worked really well with chartered flights."

Flying in and out on game day is just one of the added burdens the Broncos have needed to overcome this season.

After travelling to NSW for the past thee weeks they have been required to isolate, not leaving their homes for anything other than training or playing.

It's meant many have needed to take leave from work or quit their casual jobs, which has come as a huge financial cost.

"Being in an isolation bubble, I know some people are in Sydney but we're in a full bubble, we're not allowed to leave the house, we've had to make lots of changes, lots of sacrifices," said skipper Ali Brigginshaw.

"I think maybe two girls in our team have actually been able to continue working, so financially it's quite a struggle for this competition.

"But we came together at the start and set some values about making sure we adapt to everything that's been given and has been thrown at us and I think we've done a great job."

And still they've emerged as the heavyweights of the NRLW competition, having lost just one match in the past three years despite changes to their side.

From the 2018 premiership winning team just five players remain at the club.

Brigginshaw puts it down to a strong culture and a healthy nursery of players in Queensland, meaning the Broncos can be selective with recruitment.

"Every time a player comes in, they don't change or we don't need to make them fit the Broncos, they just fit," she said.

"We're very particular about who comes to play here and the coaches have done a great job at making sure the right people are here."

Last week the Broncos scored a 24-16 win over the Roosters in the grand final preview.

Coming into this season the Roosters had won just one game in two years, and their opening two wins assured them a place in Sunday's decider.

"We played the Roosters last week but we're going to have to be better than that," Brigginshaw said.

"We're going to have to change the way we play to be better.

"That's what I think the Roosters have done well this year is they've got better each week.

"I truly believe they're the in-form side.

"They were very strong last week and I give them full credit, Jamie Feeney has done a great job with them."

STATS THAT MATTER

* Brisbane's Meg Ward is six points away from becoming the first player in NRLW to reach 50 points. Ward is currently equal with Chelsea Baker on 44 points, which is the most in NRLW.

* Ward has scored 26 of Brisbane's 70 points this season (37 per cent), the most points and the highest percentage of team points for any player this season.

* Roosters lead the NRLW this season in metres per game (1051) & linebreaks per game (7).

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