With her shock of pink hair, Chelsea Baker was always going to be a standout in Brisbane’s inaugural NRL women’s premiership clash against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
But the Jillaroos flyer still had tongues wagging with her personal tally of 18 points including two first half tries in the Broncos’ historic opening 30-4 romp over an injury-hit Dragons in front of 18,853 fans.
The colourful Brisbane fullback showed no mercy to a Dragons outfit reeling from the loss of Jillaroos star back-rower Talesha Quinn (knee) before the kick-off.
The visitors’ luck didn’t change, losing halfback Raecene McGregor to a suspected shoulder injury in the 23rd minute suffered when stopping a try-bound Baker and only returning for the final five minutes.
Dragons and NSW centre Jessica Sergis also came off in the dying moments of the first half with concussion after a brutal collision with standout Broncos winger Julia Robinson.
Brisbane flyer Robinson, an Australian Defence Force driver, appears to be a quick learner.
Robinson only started playing league this year and becoming a Bronco in June.
But the star was Baker who made her intentions clear from the outset, slicing through the Dragons defence to open the scoring in the third minute.
Baker had her double by the 28th minute of the 30 minute halves, running off a Meg Ward inside ball to ensure an 18-4 halftime lead.
The hosts iced the result when inspirational skipper and halfback Ali Brigginshaw dived over from dummy half in the 52nd minute.
It was a disappointing result for a Dragons side boasting Jillaroos stars Sam Bremner and Kezie Apps as well as Kiwi Ferns flyer Honey Hireme and NSW speedster Sergis.
The Dragons had their chances but winger Shakiah Tungai was denied two tries in four minutes midway in the second half.