Ali Brigginshaw

Ali Brigginshaw (born 1 December 1989) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Women's Premiership and Valleys Diehards in the QRL Women's Premiership.

Primarily a , she is the captain of the Broncos, Australia and Queensland.

Background Born in Ipswich, Queensland, Brigginshaw played her junior rugby league for the North Ipswich Tigers but was forced to give up the sport when she was twelve because there was no competition for older girls. Brigginshaw's father Larry was a halfback in the Brisbane Rugby League, captaining Eastern Suburbs to a premiership win in 1983.

Playing career In 2009, Brigginshaw returned to rugby league, playing for the Souths Logan Magpies. That year, she made her representative debuts for Australia and Queensland.

In 2013, Brigginshaw was a member of Australia's 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup-winning squad, starting at in the final against New Zealand.

In 2015, Brigginshaw broke her right fibula in three places. During her recovery she took up Muay Thai and boxing, becoming a national champion and the Australian Golden Gloves Novice A champion in the 69 kg category. In 2016, she returned from injury and played in Queensland 4–8 loss to New South Wales.

On 2 December 2017, she started at and was named Player of the Match in Australia's 23–16 Women's World Cup final win over New Zealand.

2018

In May, she represented South East Queensland at the first ever Women's National Championships. In June, Brigginshaw, along with Brittany Breayley, Heather Ballinger, Teuila Fotu-Moala and Caitlyn Moran, were named as the five marquee players for the Brisbane Broncos NRL Women's Premiership team. In August, she was named captain of the side.

On 30 September, she captained the Broncos' in their 34–12 Grand Final win over the Sydney Roosters.

2019 In May, she once again represented South East Queensland at the Women's National Championships.

On 6 October, she captained the Broncos to their second NRL Women's Premiership after they defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 30–6 in the Grand Final.

2020 In 2020, Brigginshaw joined Ipswich Brothers for the inaugural season of the QRL Women's Premiership.

On 19 October, she won the Dally M Medal for female Player of the Year. On 25 October, she started at in the Broncos' 20–10 NRLW Grand Final win over the Roosters.

2021 In 2021, Brigginshaw joined Valleys Diehards in the QRL Women's Premiership.

Achievements and accolades

Individual Dally M Medal: 2020 Brisbane Broncos Player of the Year: 2019 Brisbane Broncos Best Back: 2019

Team 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup: Australia – Winners 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup: Australia – Winners 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup: Australia – Winners 2020 Women's State of Origin: Queensland – Winners 2021 Women's State of Origin: Queensland – Winners 2024 Women's State of Origin: Queensland – Winners 2018 NRLW Grand Final: Brisbane Broncos – Winners 2019 NRLW Grand Final: Brisbane Broncos – Winners 2020 NRLW Grand Final: Brisbane Broncos – Winners 2025 NRLW Grand Final: Brisbane Broncos – Winners

Personal life Brigginshaw proposed to her partner Kate Daly in December 2019 and the couple married a year later, on 30 December 2020.

In March 2026, Brigginshaw starred in the reality TV show Rivals: Sport vs. Sport representing "Team Rugby League". She was featured alongside Josh Addo-Carr, Jaime Chapman, and Reece Walsh.