'It teaches you': Boyle says Broncos learned from first loss

A loss probably isn't the ideal grand final preparation but resetting the energy buttons after the first blemish on the Broncos' NRLW record would be invaluable, according to prop Millie Boyle.

"Absolutely. You learn a lot from losing a game. It teaches you not to be complacent – every team is there to win – and to keep competing throughout," Boyle told NRL.com in a very sombre Broncos sheds at the SCG after falling 10-8 to the Warriors.

It was Brisbane's first loss in seven NRLW games.

"I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing [losing] heading into a grand final," she said.

"It shows us our prep has got to be better and we need to be more switched on.

"But there are lot of girls feeling very down at the moment. It's very sad to lose any time but for the first loss for the club, it is a little tough.

"We knew they were going to come out hard but we didn’t complete our sets. And we've always gone back to defence as our fall-back position but it wasn't this time due to our lack of execution.

"We didn't really stick to our game plan to keep it simple and work the ball to the areas on the field we're strongest. We lost control through the middle a little.

"So all those things we don't plan on doing again."

The Dragons are the opponents at ANZ Stadium on Sunday and Boyle will be up against her NSW Origin captain Kezie Apps, alongside Blues teammates Maddie Staddon, Jess Sergis, Holli Wheeler, Botille Vette-Welsh, Tiana Penitani, Shaylee Bent, and Shakiah Tungai.

Boyle is the only NSW player in the Broncos line-up.

"It will have a different feeling about it this time around that's for sure," Boyle said.

But the 21-year-old has proved immensely adaptable in 2019.

She made her Origin debut on June 21 starting at prop, and then played blindside flanker for the Wallroos in their rugby union international against Japan on July 19.

Boyle played two more Tests against New Zealand in the 15-a-side game in August before returning to league for pre-season training at the Broncos.

"I just keep it rolling. I've had a really good support group around me," Boyle said of her heavy program.

"I'm enjoying it so much so that makes all the intensity and training so much easier. It's a really good bunch of girls at the Broncos along with great coaching staff.  

"And it's the same with rugby … there's good people there helping me too. All up I'm loving footy at the moment."

Boyle made 30 tackles, and 84 metres in 10 runs over 39 minutes against the Warriors on Saturday – and topped the post-contact metres for her side.

Her performances are sure to have caught the eye of Jillaroos coach Brad Donald for the upcoming Test against the Kiwi Ferns in Wollongong on October 25.

"I'll see how this year pans out, but for now, I've got a grand final to win," she said.

She was coy about whether Donald had been in contact about her future.

"Not really, I mean I see him around. But I think I've still got a lot to prove. I also know I'm capable of a lot more," Boyle said.

"So I'll try and keep putting my best foot forward with the Broncos. That's all I'm really worried about at the moment."

Tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2019 are now on sale to the general public.

Tickets are available through Ticketek and nrl.com/tickets.