Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw has a nervous wait ahead after she was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous WWE-like tackle on Bulldogs playmaker Tayla Preston during her side’s 34-4 win on Sunday.
Andrew Johns was left in disbelief as it appeared Brigginshaw would escape punishment for her actions, having just flung Preston to the ground head first.
Ali Brigginshaw is pinged for an ugly tackle on Bulldogs skipper Tayla Preston. Nine
Preston stayed down on the turf holding her head, prompting the referee to come in and check on her wellbeing. Brigginshaw had already returned to the line.
As a replay of the incident was shown, Johns made clear a sin bin was needed.
“Ali Brigginshaw doing some WWE toss,” he said in commentary on Nine.
“She is very lucky not to be in the bin for that one. That is a very dangerous tackle and at least a sin bin. It is very close to a send-off, too.
“This could’ve been really serious, she’s landed on her head.”
Senior review official Matt Noyen was communicating with the on-field referee, who eventually called Brigginshaw over to learn her fate for her actions.
She was then instructed she would be heading to the sin bin.
“It is a total accident and there is no malice in the tackle, she just got her in a really awkward and dangerous position,” Johns said as Brigginshaw headed off the field.
“She is very lucky there that she didn’t get injured. She was in a really awkward position.”
If Brigginshaw is to be suspended, it will be her first match-ban since 2021.
The former Maroons captain will hang up the boots at the season’s end.
Despite losing their captain, the Broncos managed to find their third try of the match via Goergia Barlett. Her efforts saw the side hold a 16-0 lead at half-time.
The Bulldogs did get four points on the board in the early minutes of the second half with Brigginshaw still in the sin bin, but the conversion was unsuccessful.
Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson, however, dashed all hopes of the home side claiming victory in Wagga Wagga, crossing five minutes apart.
Jada Ferguson sealed the deal for the Broncos in the 63rd minute.