Roosters pioneer dreaming of grand final glory
Joanna Guelas |
Not everyone gets a fairytale finish, but Sydney Roosters pioneer Corban Baxter has already imagined a premiership ending to her storied NRLW career.
The 32-year-old has the chance to pen the perfect final chapter, with the Roosters set to once again face off against long-time rivals Brisbane in Sunday’s grand final at Accor Stadium.
‘Taking it one step at a time’ is the cliche for grand final-bound teams, but fullback Baxter is ditching football sensibilities and has already imagined wearing her second premiership ring.
“You know what? There’s no harm in that,” Baxter told AAP.
“Some positive manifestation can go a long way, because some of the girls have already talked about maybe having a little bit of nerves.
“That’s just because we’re thinking about what we’re so close to achieving here as a group.
“If we can think it, then we can believe it.”
Baxter starred at fullback to help the Roosters repeat last season’s feat in remaining undefeated en route to the grand final, but said her body was finding it difficult to keep up with the demands since rupturing her ACL in 2024.
She was forced to watch the Roosters’ 2024 grand final win over Cronulla from the sidelines, before lining up in the club’s shock decider loss to Brisbane last year.
A star of the NRLW since its second season in 2019, Baxter captained the Roosters to their maiden premiership in 2021 and set the culture for the competition powerhouse.
Having missed the inaugural NRLW season with injury, Baxter has been one of the game’s most prominent players, even before the elite women’s competition.
In a career halted at times by pregnancy and injury, the mother-of-three played her first of seven Tests for Australia in 2016 and also played in seven Origins for NSW.
Baxter isn’t the only NRLW veteran set to play their final game on Sunday, with teammate Millie Elliott and Broncos legend Ali Brigginshaw calling time.
The opportunity to nail a perfect send-off isn’t lost on Baxter.
“I do pinch myself. Nothing comes easy,” Baxter said. “We’ve had to work really hard for this.
“The fact that I have been blessed with another opportunity to play on the biggest stage on the grand final day, I won’t be taking that lightly.
“All eyes are on making sure that we do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to hold that trophy and get that ring.
“Glad that I was able to do that (retirement announcement) a few weeks ago so that now we can sort of dial in for the finals run.”
AAP