Jillaroos Reflect on Coach’s Legacy After Dominance and Sudden Exit

Jillaroos coach quits on eve of Vegas | 01:26

Senior Jillaroos have come out in support of their former coach Brad Donald, defending his legacy after his eight-year tenure came to an end.

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Two weeks following Donald’s resignation, there’s been scarce information around the circumstances of his departure and even less recognition of the near-decade of dominance he led the team through.

Senior Jillaroos felt compelled to come forward to defend their former coach after the lack of information led to innuendo which they believe threatens to tarnish his legacy and reputation.

“The thing I really loved about Brad was how much he cared about the jersey and we always talked about leaving any place the Jillaroos had been a better place,” said Jillaroos co-captain Ali Brigginshaw.

“He was 100% a game changer in the women’s space, he wanted to change the game in every aspect and absolutely fought through everything and many many battles to make sure the women’s game was in a better place. I know he’ll continue to do that also.”

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“He was a big trailblazer in the women’s game for starting so many initiatives in the women’s space that I don’t think he gets recognition for,” said Jillaroos forward Yasmin Clydsdale.

“So when we came back and won the world cup in 2017, the NRLW was just a dream and I feel he was the one that made so many things a reality in the women’s space. I feel that shouldn’t be forgotten because without his advocacy in this space we wouldn’t have the game that we have today. Even the pathways that we have today, the talent, the amount of girls that want to play rugby league because they see it as a pathway and as a future, that wouldn’t exist without Brad Donald and his commitment to women’s rugby league.”

Jillaroos co-captain Kezie Apps also doesn’t want his impact on the game to be forgotten.

“Something that has really stuck with me is that he really really cares obviously for the women’s space but for the players. I feel like he always went to bat for us and really fought and pushed barriers internally with the NRL and I feel like we got a lot of positive things out of that, but if it wasn’t for him backing up for us then I don’t think you know we would be in the position that we are today.”

Sam Bremner in action for Australia at the World Cup.Source: Getty Images

Former captain Sam Bremner has seen many changes in the Jillaroos since she was a part of the 2013 World Cup winning side and was a part of Brad’s 2017 and 2022 World Cup winning squads. But it’s his support when she returned to the game three times after the birth of her children that she values the most.

“I know personally for me, especially coming back from children, he was my number one supporter and allowed me the space to have an opportunity to do things that I really wanted to do which I’ll be forever grateful for.”

“I think what’s really important to remember is not that many people were talking about us or watching us and we weren’t on TV when Brad was first at the helm of the Jillaroos and he personally knocked on doors for us so that we were able to have those opportunities to play rugby league.”

“He did so much work that a lot of people didn’t realise.”

Brad Donald with the Jillaroos last year. Picture: NRL ImagerySource: Supplied

Donald remains the Jillaroos’ longest-serving and most successful coach, leading them to back to back World Cups in 2017 and 2022 and throughout a seven year unbeaten run. He also coached through the biggest era of change for the women’s game with the development of the NRLW, equal pay for the national teams and as the popularity and profile of the team and its individual players grew.

Despite this success, there was no press conference to announce Donald’s departure, no comment from NRL hierarchy and even the press release announcing the news failed to include details of the media manager fielding enquiries – something that rarely happens with NRL releases.

Donald’s resignation did follow an investigation from the NRL, after he made disparaging remarks about a journalist in front of the team. Fox Sports understands some players in the side had become upset at information revealed in a story by the journalist, including the fitness of some Jillaroos. Donald was also unhappy and expressed that to the journalist, before sharing that discussion with his team — allegedly calling her a “f***wit”.

The investigation happened amid growing pressure on Donald following the controversial omission of Roosters forward Olivia Kernick in the Jillaroos Pacific Championships squad in 2024, just days after she won the Dally M. A decision he stood by.

Despite the messy exit, there many Jillaroos supporting their former coach and say he’ll be sorely missed.

“Definitely sad to see him go, I’ve had many great and amazing memories, some of the best times of my rugby league career have been with Brad Donald through world cups,” said Brigginshaw.

“He’s never used the women’s game to try to make it further in the men’s game. He actually came from the men’s game and wanted to make a change for the women and he always said we deserved the best and wanted to provide us with the best support.”

Yasmin Clydsdale in action during the Rugby League Pacific Championships last year.Source: Getty Images

It’s a sentiment Clydsdale shared.

“I’m super sad he’s leaving, he was one who always had the girls first and to have someone commit to the girls and not using it as a stepping stone, which I feel sometimes the women’s space can be used as. It’s sad seeing someone like him who is so dedicated to the women’s space go, but I know he’ll still be around and he’ll want to be a part of our futures in the game and checking in on us, that’s just the person he is,” she said.

“Definitely sad to see him go,” said Apps. “Obviously he was a great person and would always make sure that you were looked after. How do I even put into words of what he’s done? It’s really hard to try because of everything that he has done for the women’s game…if it wasn’t for people like Brad breaking down those barriers early on, I don’t think we would be where we are today.”

Bremner also believes he leaves a strong legacy.

“I think this game will really miss him and it probably one of those things that you probably don’t realise how much he’s done until we look back in time and people are talking about it and you realise just how much work went into getting the Jillaroos where it is today. Without the Jillaroos succeeding in that 2017 World Cup there wouldn’t be an NRLW in my opinion, so good on Brad Donald,” said Bremner.

The Jillaroos head into camp today ahead of their match against England at Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas.