The Brisbane Broncos have unveiled another five quality players to their NRLW squad for the 2021 season.
Hayley Maddick, Emily Bass, Jada Ferguson, Nakita Sao and Kaitlyn Phillips are the latest players to join the team bringing a diverse range of skills and talent.
Phillips, a pacy backrower, joins the Broncos from the Roosters having represented the Indigenous All Stars twice, plus a victory in the Prime Minister’s XIII against Fiji in 2019.
Bass is a former top-class hurdler who has been playing rugby for the Queensland Reds in the outside backs and brings plenty of speed and agility, while 2020 Broncos squad member Nakita Sao returns for another crack in 2021.
“Nakita is growing on and off the field, and is a very versatile player,” Broncos NRLW Coach Kelvin Wright said of Sao, 18.
Rising talent Hayley Maddick also brings a bag of skills to the team, having represented the Broncos at the 2020 NRLW Nines tournament in Perth. She was also 2019 NRL Touch Premiership Player of the Year and is coming off the back of a great season in the QRL Women’s BHP season.
“Hayley’s ability, especially in attack will give us good cover – she is a really exciting player,” said Wright.
Another promising player, Toowoomba’s Jada Ferguson, will make the step up to NRLW having represented Queensland Under 19 State of Origin.
“Jada has a great work ethic and her game has really improved so I’m excited to see how she develops as a player in this environment,” said Wright.
With the Broncos squad now nearly at capacity, Wright is feeling confident with the roster ahead of a start to training at the end of August, with the competition slated to start in NRL Grand Final week.
“Obviously we’ve retained a core group from previous years but we’re lucky to have the addition of some really exciting players which is going to make a strong squad for 2021”
Kelvin Wright
The five latest signings join 15 players already named as part of the 2021 Broncos squad – Ali Brigginshaw, Millie Boyle, Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken, Amber Hall, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Julia Robinson, Tallisha Harden, Lauren Brown, Shenae Ciesiolka, Lavinia Gould, Amy Turner, Sara Sautia, Toni Hunt and Lesa Kaleti Mataafa.
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