Tough-as-teak Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw may have a mangled nose but her rugby league brain is as sharp as ever ahead of a crunch NRLW clash with Cronulla.
The 33-year-old halfback left the field in the 63rd minute in the 40-8 win over Canberra last week and was assessed as having a category-two concussion.
The doctor put her nose back in place and she passed protocols 48 hours later to take her place on the teamsheet to play against the Sharks on Saturday in Townsville.
The swelling has since gone down and Brigginshaw trained strongly with the Broncos on Thursday.
"It certainly doesn’t look good with the photos circulating and she copped a fair whack on her nose, but she is flying as far as the testing that needs to be done regarding HIAs," Broncos coach Scott Prince said.
"She will take the field this week and is really keen. We certainly need her. The doctor straightened (the nose) up and she said she had no issue breathing.
"We are under no illusion that if she does cop a whack on the nose (against the Sharks) it is going to start bleeding again, but we will just have to do the old Hannibal Lecter and throw her back out there.
"Her footy IQ is phenomenal and the fact that she continues to work hard on her game is a testament to her. She knows that as rugby league players we can always get better. I love her work ethic."
Brigginshaw’s nose was all patched up after the game and Prince said the fact she lingered afterwards to sign autographs with fans summed up his captain perfectly.
"Ali is unique not only as a player but as a person," Prince said.
"It was just a testament to her character that after getting a fairly hefty knock to her nose she said that she wanted to say g’day to the fans that turned out. That is why she is Ali Brigginshaw and our captain.
"It doesn’t surprise me because along with coaching her I also work alongside Ali in the wonderful work she does in the community. She is one of a kind and that is why we love her."
The Broncos are in fifth position on six NRLW points and must keep winning to play finals.
In other round-seven NRLW clashes on Saturday, the fourth-placed Raiders host defending premiers Newcastle and North Queensland are at home to St George Illawarra.
On Sunday, the Gold Coast play Wests Tigers at Robina while ladder-leaders Sydney Roosters take on last-placed Parramatta in Gosford.
