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Origin farewell? Brigginshaw handed series swansong
Sam Kosack • May 21st, 2025 7:23 pm
Queensland halfback Ali Brigginshaw has been named at lock for Game III of the Women’s State of Origin series after questions were raised around her position in the side.
Queensland suffered two heavy losses in Games I and II, leaving conversations around the future of Brigginshaw in the side.
Brigginshaw has been a stalwart of the Queensland line-up since her debut in 2018, having alternated between halfback and lock throughout her Origin career.
Lauren Brown has been named in the halves with Tarryn Aiken, with lock Keilee Joseph the player to drop out of the 17.
Brown is the reigning Dally M halfback of the year and recently inked an extension with the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2027.
Speaking after Game II, Brigginshaw was unsure whether she would have the chance to represent Queensland in what could be a farewell match for the 35-year-old veteran.
“(I’ve) been here a long time, so you just never know when it's gonna be your last," she said.
"We try and we train so hard and we sacrifice so much, being away from home.
"I've been here 16 years - every game you play, winning is great, but losing hurts. If I didn't have any emotions, I guess the game wouldn't mean anything to me.
Rising Cronulla Sharks’ half Georgia Hannaway will make her Origin debut, being named on the bench, with Destiny Brill shifting to hooker to fill Brown’s position.
SEN 1170 Breakfast host Matt Russell believed after Game II that Queensland needed to hand the reins to Hannaway.
“Georgia Hannaway, the young Cronulla Shark, is waiting there in the wings; Tahnee Norris needs to make changes,” Russell said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast.
“She’s got to plan for the future, they (Queensland) were an eternity away from New South Wales (in) Game I and Game II.
“So, if there is to be a change to be made, that could well be made.”
Fullback Tamika Upton has also been officially ruled out with a hip injury suffered in Game II, and will be replaced by Hayley Maddink, who was 18th man last game.
The New South Wales side are unchanged for Game III as they look to be the first NSW side, men's or women's, to complete a clean sweep of a series since 2000.
Game III will be played on May 29 in Newcastle.
