Annette Brander: 'This has been a long time coming'

Rugby league for Brander started at school in Caboolture when now teammate at the Falcons Hayley Maddick convinced her to play.

“From there, just played fresh out of school, played under 18s at Caboolture Snakes and that same year went and played at the Sunshine Coast with Steph Hancock and Jo Barrett, which was a pretty cool start for me,” Brander said.

“It all started on the coast so I’m really excited to hopefully end it on the coast as well.”

Brander said Round 1 would be “a super special moment” because she understood how hard it was to come from the coast and struggle to see the pathway through to the top.

“It’s just really special to know there’s a good, clear pathway for the girls that are coming through and they can actually see it now, in front of them, and they don’t have to try and figure out how they can get (to the top),” Brander said.

The Falcons also have teams in the Harvey Norman Under 17s and Harvey Norman Under 19s competitions that lead into the BMD Premiership.

“I think the pathway at the Falcons will keep a lot more girls on the Sunshine Coast instead of them having to move,” Brander said.

Brander, who was with Norths Devils last year, said her past couple of years had been tough with injuries, but she felt good heading into season 2024.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” she said.

“Unfortunately I come into the season with a bit of a calf niggle but I’ve been able to manage my load and get two trials out. My body is honestly feeling better than it has in the last couple of years.”

Brander said the Falcons squad was an impressive one and she could not wait to rip in with them, adding people should look out for Rhemy Hinckesman and  
Emmogen Taumafai.

“Rhemy plays lock forward or nine and she just loves contact, she has really good ball skills and just has a motor on her,” Brander said.

“Emmogen Taumafai, her sister Jazzy I played with her for Queensland… she's coming through, she has a really good athletic build, strong runner and is just keen to have a go.”

Brander said she particularly looked forward to Round 6 against Norths.

“It’s always fun coming up against your old side,” she said.

“We had a trial and we had a draw, so, you know, pretty even. I love everyone at Norths and all the girls there.. I think it just makes it a bit more special when you come up against people that you respect and that you’ve got a friendship with.

“It just feels a bit better to get one over them in the end.”

Brander said her focus for the year was to do her part to ensure the Falcons had a successful first season.

“We've had a good pre-season,” Brander said.

“With the niggling injuries I've had over the years, (my goal is) getting a really good season under my belt and then see where it goes from there.

“Falcons at the moment is the number one priority. Getting more minutes than last year and hopefully being able to make an impact.”

Brander said she did not know what the future held for her, whether she could play NRLW or representative games again, but nothing was off the table.

“Since Titans in 2022, injuries have been my main issues… I’m 31 this year,” Brander said.

“I’m really loving the local stuff and giving back to that community and helping build something really special here.

“Outside of that, if something happens… if I've got good enough form and I feel like I'm fit enough, of course (I’d take any opportunity with both hands).”

What Brander does know though is whatever happens, she wants to finish her rugby league career where it started, at the Sunshine Coast. 

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