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'Emotional roller-coaster' amid Bronco Broughton's exit
Jasper Bruce, AAP • September 29th, 2025 3:56 pm
Gayle Broughton is hoping her last match for the Broncos will land her side the NRLW premiership | Photo: Pat Hoelscher/AAP
Brisbane five-eighth Gayle Broughton says she's been on an "emotional roller-coaster" since deciding to leave the NRLW club where she thought she'd retire.
Sunday's grand final against the Sydney Roosters will be Broughton's last game for the Broncos before returning home to New Zealand and joining the Warriors in 2026.
The ex-Olympian had been linked with the Warriors in recent weeks, but confirmed and addressed the move for the first time after starring in Sunday's grand final qualifier against Newcastle.
Gayle Broughton is leaving Brisbane and will play for the Warriors in 2026 | Pat Hoelscher/AAP
"It was purely based around my son. My partner's whanau as well, they're all back in New Zealand," Broughton said.
"I'd do anything for my son, I'd move heaven and earth for him. If that means moving back home to make sure that they've got more support around them, I'll jump on the first plane there."
It wasn't until Broughton began packing up her home that the reality sunk in she would be leaving the club where she has played the past three seasons.
The 29-year-old represented New Zealand in rugby sevens at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, winning gold at the second, and played in the NRLW grand final in 2023 at Parramatta.
New Zealand's Gayle Broughton charges in for a try on the way to winning Olympic gold in Tokyo | Photo: AP
But the occasion this week looms as just as significant, as her Broncos finally progress to the decider, having bowed out in the penultimate week in three of the past four seasons.
"(Leaving) probably didn't sink in until I had to pack up my house over these last couple of weeks," Broughton said.
"It's definitely been an emotional roller-coaster. I love these girls, they're everything to me. They're the closest thing to my sisters.
"I've loved it here the last three years and I was happy to retire here. But some things are just bigger than footy, especially when it comes to your children."
Broughton felt past experiences would keep her grounded this week.
"I've played in some pretty big games in my life, Comm Games, Olympic final. I know it all too well," she said.
"Not a lot of people get to embrace the grand finals, so just enjoy it, enjoy the moment, enjoy the atmosphere. It's going to be awesome."
As Broughton prepares to fly out to New Zealand after her Broncos swansong, Brisbane have been linked with Knights playmaker Jesse Southwell, who is off-contract after this season.
The 20-year-old has an option in her deal to remain with the Knights through 2027, but coach Ben Jeffries conceded there was a chance the preliminary final was her 40th and final game for the club.
"Jesse's obviously in contract talks and that's her prerogative," he said.
"We'd like to build the club around her and things like that, but at the end of the day it's up to Jesse, and I know the club will be trying to do everything to keep her."
