Brigginshaw calls for dedicated NRLW chief executive ahead of retirement

Rugby league legend Ali Brigginshaw has called on the NRL to create a separate chief executive for the women's game, ahead of her retirement and a potential back-to-back premiership win with Brisbane.

At a press conference ahead of the grand final, Brigginshaw suggested the NRLW could benefit from dedicated leadership, saying "If there's someone in charge of the [women's] game, maybe someone that plays the game, not me, maybe Millie," in reference to fellow retiring player Millie Elliott.

Brigginshaw's vision for the NRLW

Brigginshaw, who has captained her state and country, believes the women's game doesn't have to follow the men's model. "We try to shape our game exactly [how] the men do, but there's nothing saying we have to just follow in those footsteps," she said. "We can go in a different direction, we can do what we want to do and what's best for the [NRLW] players and the staff."

The women's game is currently managed by the chief executive of the NRL, whereas the AFLW has its own dedicated leadership under Laura Kane.

Tributes to Brigginshaw

Brigginshaw's contribution to the sport was praised by her peers, with Broncos coach Scott Prince saying, "She will be remembered in the game for such a long time, and I really hope that they name an award after Ali."

Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly also paid tribute to Brigginshaw, saying, "Ali's been a pioneer of our game for a very long time now, and I've been really lucky to know Ali for a number of years and play with her and experience her as a leader as well."

Kelly also praised her own retiring teammates Corban Baxter and Elliott, saying, "[Millie] never stops; she's always putting her best foot forward. She promotes the game in such a positive and respectful light that so many young girls look up to."

Injury update for Roosters' Fressard

The Roosters will make a last-minute decision on winger Jayme Fressard's participation in the grand final after she suffered a shoulder injury in last week's win over Canberra. Coach John Strange said Fressard was a "50-50" chance of playing, with a final decision to be made after the captain's run.