Marquee signing Sam Bremner may have played for her state, her country and in the inaugural NRLW season, but the veteran fullback says she’s still got plenty to learn in her first season at Bondi as she joins the charge for back-to-back Premierships.
The 30-year-old World Cup winner and former Players’ Champion headlines an exciting roster for the Club’s 2022 campaign, who joins Queensland utility Destiny Brill, damaging second rower Shaniah Power and outside back Jayme Fressard as high-profile arrivals to Bondi.
Bremner: "It's Surreal to Pull On the Red, White and Blue"
But despite her impressive résumé and credentials, Bremner is simply looking to soak in her newest opportunity to don the Red, White and Blue in another exciting season after her 20-month absence from the NRLW.
“It’s a little bit surreal to put on the Red, White and Blue,” Bremner admitted.
“I’m trying to take everything in. The Roosters have been extremely welcoming so far and it’s a really exciting moment. I’m so glad that I’ve made this decision.
“It’s so exciting, I feel like there’s so much to achieve in this game now. The game is moving progressively so quickly.
“The standard is getting higher and higher every season and I know for myself personally to keep up with that, I need to be amongst the best and I need to be coached by the best which is one of the reasons why I’m so excited to be representing these colours.”
With so many exciting prospects in John Strange’s squad, with a vast majority of the 2021 Premiership side retained, Bremner is certainly looking forwards to getting right to work on taking out a second consecutive title.
The variety and growth in the dynamic list has her excited most, citing the jubilation in which they played with right until the final siren of the Grand Final.
“I think it’s got a really good mix of young talented players which is so important for the future of the Club,” she said.
“It’s also important for the leaders and the most experienced of players to mix and to play with these younger players. That’s what I think will happen amongst the Roosters squad, we’ll all be learning off each other.
Hit Play | NRLW Grand Final
“I don’t think just because you’re an experienced player that you know it all – you can definitely learn from the younger players, and they obviously can learn from you as well.
“One of the things I realised out of this team winning was obviously they’re a great team under a great coaching staff is that everyone got individually so much better as a football player.
“Second to that, a lot of the players enjoyed their football – and that is the main reason why I started to play Rugby League twelve years ago; it was such an inclusive game but so much fun.
“There’s just a genuine love for the game and I don’t know how much longer I’ll play football, but I want to make sure that I’m enjoying football and I’m continuing to grow as a footballer.”
Returning to the fold through the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership for Cronulla after the birth of her second child, Bremner has her eyes on the vacant no.1 jersey.
One of the things I realised out of this team winning was obviously they’re a great team under a great coaching staff is that everyone got individually so much better as a football player.
Sam Bremner Roosters recruit for 2022
While she says that while she will be looking to take her place at the back, it won’t be a case of trying to take the jersey from Captain Corban Baxter – who will coincidentally be going on her journey as a mother for the second time.
“Of course, they’re massive shoes to fill with Corby being out,” she said.
“It’s a very exciting time for her and I’m sure she’ll still be a part of the Club. She can offer so much off the field as she can on the field.
“There’s no doubt in that mind that we can continue to get really positive experiences and gain things from Corby by just being around the Club even though she won’t be on the field.
“I’ll definitely do the best I can in her position. I won’t be out to fill her shoes, but I’ll be able to fill my own and hopefully continue to learn.”
