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How to tune into Sport NationFrom shock to awe: Robinson set for Broncos glory
Joel Gould, AAP • October 2nd, 2025 2:28 pm
Brisbane centre Julia Robinson is ready for the NRLW grand final after finding career-best form | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Julia Robinson built her reputation as the world's leading winger, but now she is ready to challenge for her fourth NRLW title with Brisbane as a complete centre.
The 27-year-old Jillaroos and Queensland star was a centre in the 2020 grand-final win for the Broncos, her third title in a row with the club, but it is as a winger that she has mostly blitzed the competition.
Ahead of Sunday's grand final against arch-rivals Sydney Roosters, she explained why coach Scott Prince surprised, and also lifted her, when he told Robinson of a change for season 2025.
"It was a bit of a shock when Princey told me I would be playing centre because I was still training in pre-season as a winger," Robinson told AAP.
"It was only when we played a trial game that he told me I'd be centre and I was a little bit worried to see how I would go.
"I hadn't played centre since 2020. I just told myself I would use it as a challenge and if I was going to play centre to make sure I was the best I can be. I have been loving it."
Robinson's move has paid off, only narrowly missing out on the Dally M Medal to teammate Tamika Upton on Wednesday night after being rested from the penultimate round.
She has scored a career-equalling best nine tries this year but has an all-time high eight try assists along with her best ever run metres, averaging a stunning 266m per match.
The individual highs are well earned but the Broncos have not played in a decider since 2020 after being knocked out in three of the last four finals series.
"We've been short the last few years and it is not a good feeling when you are so close," Robinson said.
"It is amazing that we are back into the grand final. It has been a long time coming, since 2020.
"The end goal is to get to the grand final and win, so that's what we are going to do.
"The Roosters have been incredible this season but we have done incredible things as well this year. We can't wait for the grand final."
Broncos star Julia Robinson proves a handful to stop for Titans defenders on the Gold Coast | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Brisbane are also in the NRL decider against Melbourne and if all goes to plan will be the first club to win both titles on the same day.
Robinson and Kotoni Staggs were both named Dally M centres of the year and a star showing against the Roosters could set the tone for the night as well.
"No club has done it before but we haven't spoken about it yet because we want to focus on ourselves," Robinson said.
"It would be really cool as a club for both teams to win the grand final."
Robinson will be crucial to the Broncos' hopes after showing her remarkable capacity to adapt to any challenge and shining at centre.
"I am a bit closer to the action, getting the ball earlier in my hands. I was a little bit worried how I was going to go with the catch-pass but I feel like I have done alright," she said.
"It is one skill I want to keep on developing. When I was a winger my job was to finish the tries but now as a centre I can set the tries up too."
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