Rookie watch: No fear for Ferguson as NRLW debut awaits
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Ahead of the rescheduled NRL Telstra Women's Premiership, NRL.com profiles the next crop of talent ready to make their mark in 2022.
Rookie snapshot
- Name: Jada Ferguson
- Age: 19
- NRLW club: Broncos
- Position: Five-eighth
Broncos recruit and Queensland under 19s representative Jada Ferguson sports a scar on her collarbone as a constant reminder to not back down from any challenge that comes her way.
Ferguson arrives at the Broncos with the aim of becoming one of the game's next biggest stars in the halves, and she'll have a couple of handy players to learn off in the form of Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw.
However, it was three years ago during a casual game of footy with her brothers that Ferguson felt the force of what could possibly be about to come in the NRLW as she aims to take her game to the next level.
"We were always playing in the backyard growing up and running it straight but one time I broke my collarbone getting dropped by one of my brothers," Ferguson told NRL.com.
"It was the younger one too so brought plenty of shame. I actually did it playing sevens earlier but it mustn't have healed properly, he just dropped me and I heard the crack."
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The Toowoomba product, who is also first cousins with Broncos winger Shenae Ciesiolka, began playing the game aged 11 but stopped when restrictions were put in place.
She switched to rugby sevens and touch football during her teenage years and only returned to the code in 2021 after Aiken urged her to come back.
The pair played out the BHP Premiership for Tweed in the halves together and could now form Brisbane's starting combination with Raecene McGregor unsigned and Ali Brigginshaw a chance to remain at lock.
"Ali and Tarryn are obviously the Queensland halves so I'm going to be lucky to learn off them," Ferguson said.
"Ali is such a good role model for young girls and the style she plays is something that no one has.
"Her eyes-up footy and instinct is something that is hard to teach so I'm looking forward to working with her.
"I've only ever played in the halves but Kelvin wants me to try hooker as well and be a bit more flexible and have that versatility so I'm excited to do that.
"That's where you want to be in that environment."
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Ferguson will relocate to Brisbane with Ciesiolka for pre-season training in January as the Broncos look to win their fourth competition.
"It's good because we're really close, we train together and help each other," she said.
