One of the Brisbane Broncos’ most decorated athletes is facing an unexpected and devastating end to her storied NRLW career, after the league’s match review committee issued a severe grade 3 dangerous throw charge following a controversial tackle during the recent Magic Round clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through Australian women’s rugby league, unfolded in the 28th minute of the weekend’s fixture. Brigginshaw, a four-time NRLW premiership winner playing what was meant to be her farewell season before retirement, pulled off a tackle on Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston that dumped the playmaker directly on her head. Commentating during the match, rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns famously compared the high-impact play to a professional wrestling maneuver, calling it a “WWE toss” that was well outside the bounds of acceptable on-field contact. Though Brigginshaw was only sent to the sin bin for the infraction, match officials later noted she could have been immediately sent off for the dangerous play. Fortunately for Preston, she escaped the incident without serious long-term injury.
The charge has directly referred Brigginshaw to an upcoming judiciary hearing scheduled for Tuesday night, leaving her playing future this season hanging in the balance. The 33-year-old playmaker holds one of the most impressive ironman streaks in league history: since the NRLW’s 2018 relaunch, she has appeared in every single one of Brisbane’s 61 regular season and finals matches, never missing a single fixture through injury or suspension. That streak is now on the brink of ending.
With Brisbane holding six remaining regular season matches plus a potential finals run on the schedule, Brigginshaw had been on track to complete a full final campaign before hanging up her boots. A lengthy suspension, however, could cut that farewell tour drastically short, leaving her with just one or two more appearances in Broncos colors. Currently, the longest suspension in NRLW history stands at four matches, a mark that Brigginshaw could match or even exceed if the judiciary upholds the serious charge.
Despite the off-field controversy hanging over the club, the Broncos did secure a win over the Bulldogs over the weekend. Their next fixture is a road trip to Canberra, followed by a highly anticipated grand final rematch against the Sydney Roosters. It remains to be seen whether their legendary halfback will take the field for either game.