There was no shortage of off-season departures from NRLW premiers Brisbane, but captain Ali Brigginshaw admits coach Paul Dyer’s exit stung the most.
Halfback Brigginshaw is confident a new-look Broncos can pick up where they left off when they launch their title defence against St George Illawarra at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.
But only after finally getting her head around the fact Dyer will not be there by their side.
Amid a tumultuous off-season, five players left for the Dragons alone including Dally M Medallist Brittany Breayley, after Brisbane went through the inaugural 2018 NRLW season undefeated.
Brigginshaw accepted their decision to defect and even looked forward to niggling her ex-teammates on Sunday.
But the Broncos playmaker admitted she needed a bit more time to process Dyer’s decision to return to his full-time role as NRL club Brisbane’s game development manager.
Dyer was replaced by former New Zealand Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright and armed with all-star assistants, ex-Broncos captain Corey Parker and Warriors great Simon Mannering.
“I was obviously very disappointed. It took a while to get used to,” Brigginshaw said of Dyer’s exit.
“After speaking to Paul and coming to terms with it, I just had to move on.
“It was a sad time but we had that special year together, we held that trophy up together and I will never forget those times.
“But we have accepted Kelvin, Corey and Simon. We are now focusing on this year and look forward to playing our first game under them.”
Wright admitted he had a hard act to follow but was confident Brisbane would again set the NRLW standard in 2019.
“Expectations are really high but we expect those to be met,” he said.
“We always want to play an exciting brand of footy and I believe we have the players to do that.”
Brigginshaw looked forward to lining up against her old teammates on Sunday.
The Dragons are considered title contenders thanks to their Broncos injection after finishing last in 2018, including a 30-4 loss to Brisbane last year.
“There is pressure on us because people are out to get the first win against the Broncos,” Brigginshaw said.
“But we have got some fire in our bellies going out against the Dragons, against old teammates.
“I am hoping there is a bit of niggle there. It will make for an exciting game.”