New standalone Broncos skipper Tamika Upton is ready for the challenge of going back-to-back, saying the club have gotten used to having a ‘target’ on their back in every game.
The most successful club in NRLW history, the Broncos claimed their fourth premiership title with a hard-fought win over minor premiers the Roosters last year, with Upton scoring the opening try in the decider they won 22-18.
Taking over the reigns as full-time captain from NRLW stalwart Ali Brigginshaw, who will be playing at five-eighth in her final season, Upton said with a new-look squad, but the same determination, there was no danger of a ‘premiership hangover’.
“I think that's always a target on the Brisbane Broncos back, whether you win or you don't win, but I think there is,” Upton said.
“There's a few teams and the Roosters will be feeling the same as well.
“I think every time you play against the Roosters or the Broncos, teams seem to have their best game and that's because it's the level of competition that we have.
“I think (in terms of) a premiership hangover, it does help that we've got lots of new recruits in our team, so we have lots of girls that are very hungry for that championship.
“I know we've got so many young girls that are ready to step up into spots. Every single spot on our roster is competitive, and we see that at training, we feel that at training.
“We know whoever steps into that jersey is going to do a job, so definitely no premiership hangover.
“If anything, we'll just try and build on last year and become better players.”
Some of those new recruits include Jillaroos and NSW Blues halfback Jesse Southwell, who has made the move from Newcastle Knights and prop Shannon Mato, who is returning to the Broncos after missing last season due to the first of her child.
Southwell will link up with Brigginshaw in the halves, forming one of the more dangerous halves pairings in the competition.
“I'm really excited to see (Southwell) play with different players and I think it'll unlock some more avenues for her,” Upton said.
“She's already pretty established in this league so far and I think she's got a high ceiling, so I'm excited to see her link up with some of the Broncos players and see what she can do.
“(Southwell and Brigginshaw) played together at the Jillaroos which was exciting, so we got a bit of a snapshot there.
“But Jesse's a little general out there and it's pretty funny, Ali and I will be some of the oldest ones out there, but she'll be telling us what to do and I love that as a player.
“She kind of just organises everything and I get to play my game, which is very exciting.”
For Brigginshaw, the addition of Southwell and her shift to five-eighth is set to unleash “young Ali”, who would be free to run the ball and play what she sees.
With Upton taking on the captaincy duties as well, Brigginshaw was relishing the chance to go “back to basics”.
"It was always a conversation of playing 6 and stepping back from that 7 role and Jesse just directing the team,” Brigginshaw said.
“What she's doing, it's unbelievable to know how young she is and how good she is at directing a team.
“We only played a small bit together in the Jillaroos, so just to see her doing her thing and just playing.
“I started at 6. I played along Karyn Murphy in the 6 jersey, so it kind of seems like it's meant to be where there's a new 7 coming through and I just get to revisit Ali running the ball and having a bit of fun and just doing my job out there on the edge.
“It's great to be honest, I love that (Upton) gets to call the shots and just direct the team around with Jesse there; I get to just be young Ali, doing my thing out there and just with the pressure released,” Brigginshaw said.
“I like to base my game on the real basics, so it's been really nice to just go out there and have a bit of fun and just do what Ali needs to do.
“And I'll still lead in different ways, but just lead with actions rather than words.”
The Broncos will launch their premiership defence on Saturday night against the Cowboys as the opening game of the Suncorp Stadium double header.
The NRLW season will kick off tonight with two of last year’s finalists Cronulla and Newcastle going head-to-head at Ocean Protect Stadium.
NRL.com
