3 minute read

Roosters grand final hero Sarah Togatuki has detailed the family tragedy and cultural barriers that have inspired her NRLW rise.

NRLW grand final hero Sarah Togatuki has revealed the final conversation with her brother before his death that motivated a move to rugby league.

The Sydney Roosters prop claimed the Karyn Murphy Medal for player of the final in Sunday's 16-4 defeat of St George Illawarra in Redcliffe.

The mental health worker delivered a heart-warming thank you speech on stage, having shed tears on Tuesday when the judiciary downgraded a high-tackle charge that allowed her to play.

It capped an emotional journey that began with an off-handed comment from her brother in what would become their last conversation in 2015.

"He was one of my drivers and why I switched from netball to league," Togatuki said of brother Junior, who died after self harming in his jail cell while awaiting deportation.

"On my last visit I told him I didn't like netball so he said 'why don't you give footy a try'.

"That was the last I heard from him before he took his own life and that conversation will stick with me for the rest of my life.

"I used to write his name on here (on her wrist strapping), but it's in my heart now and I'll carry it all the way."

Togatuki was embraced by her parents after the game, played in front of nearly 8,000 fans who created a heaving atmosphere despite the neutral Queensland venue.

She said her father would remain her "biggest critic".

"I hope I did him proud; he did give me a hug but said there were some things I need to work on, so I'll take it," she grinned.

"After a game people will say 'you're amazing', but in our culture in Samoa the barriers are there.

"Females are looked at to be in the kitchen, not on the field.

"So it's about breaking the stereotypes and getting dad to believe.

"It's been a journey and we're still pushing and I play for my dad so he can look and say 'my daughter can do it too, not just my sons'."

The hard-running, big-smiling Togatuki has emerged as one of the faces of the push for NRLW professionalism.

But in the glow of the game's biggest moment she provided some perspective.

"It's not a rushed thing; it's about quality over quantity and it took the men 100 years to get to where they are now," she said.

"So you have to respect that and keep the faith and keep pushing."

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