Gorden Tallis Champions the Rise of Women’s Professional Rugby League in Australia

How Gorden Tallis Boosted Women’s Rugby League in Australia
By Andrew Prentice, Sport Reporter

NRLW icon Ali Brigginshaw has unveiled how rugby league legend Gorden Tallis played a pivotal role in advancing women’s professional rugby league in Australia. As Brigginshaw prepares for her 50th Broncos appearance, she reflected on the sport’s evolution from humble beginnings to its current prominence.

Early Struggles and Tallis’s Iconic Gesture
Brigginshaw recalled the challenges faced by the Jillaroos (Australia’s women’s team) ahead of the 2013 World Cup. At the time, the squad’s jerseys lacked the Australian Coat of Arms, signifying they weren’t formally recognized as national representatives. “Gorden came in to present our jerseys and said, ‘What the fck is this sht?’” she told News Corp. “He took them away and returned with the Coat of Arms stitched on. That moment was huge for us.”

[Image: Gorden Tallis presenting jerseys to the Jillaroos, 2013]

From Grassroots to Professional Growth
In the early days, players battled inadequate facilities. Brigginshaw’s 2009 debut for the Jillaroos saw matches lit by streetlights. Fast-forward to 2025, and the NRLW has expanded to 12 teams, with games broadcast on Fox Sports. While player salaries remain modest—rising from $34,000 in 2024 to a projected $50,600 by 2027—the league’s trajectory mirrors the rise of women’s sports globally.

[Image: NRLW stars Jaime Chapman and Jess Sergis in action]

Building a Legacy
Parramatta Eels prop Kennedy Cherrington emphasized the players’ commitment: “We see fans idolizing us—that responsibility drives us.” The NRLW isn’t competing with the NRL but carving its own identity. With role models like Brigginshaw and rising talent, the league aims to follow the Matildas’ blueprint, transforming into a cultural powerhouse.

[Image: Crowd cheering at an NRLW match]

The Road Ahead
While challenges like balancing jobs and sports persist, the NRLW’s growth—from four teams in 2018 to 12 today—signals a bright future. As Brigginshaw put it: “We’ve come a long way, but we’re just getting started.”

Published: 07:11 BST, 16 August 2025 | Updated: 07:11 BST, 16 August 2025