The changes that brought Sam Bremner back from retirement and to the brink of an NRLW premiership

The chance to win an NRLW premiership lured Sam Bremner out of retirement and now the Roosters fullback has the chance to complete one of the sport's great comeback stories.

Bremner was happily retired just a few days before the season kicked off only for a serious knee injury to rule Tricolours fullback Corban Baxter out for the year.

Coach John Strange reached out to Bremner, who left the game on a high after helping Australia to victory in the 2022 World Cup and was more than happy in retirement after a career where she'd starred for club, state and country.

"I was talking to my husband last night, how crazy it is the last few months – one minute my future looks one way and the next I'm in grand final week. It's just so cool," Bremner said.

"When Strangey called me and asked me if I would come back it was a no from me. I was just so happy with what I was doing, and happy with how I'd left my career at the World Cup.

"My husband puts a positive spin on everything and he said, 'I get you feel like you've done everything you can, but have you won a premiership?' And he knew the answer to that.

"He said, 'It'd be a good chance, all your best mates are there and this could be it, this could mean you really have done it all.'"

Bremner rejoined the club with no pre-season under her belt and the results have been spectacular.

In nine games this season she has scored six tries, recorded 10 line breaks and 39 tackle busts, and she has saved her best football for when it has counted the most.

Bremner starred in the 25-14 semifinal win over the Knights, scoring two tries and saving two more as she hits top form ahead of Sunday's decider against Cronulla.

But getting there took a while. Bremner is a self-described high achiever but wouldn't let herself accept that her goal on return was the same as ever – to be the best – for fear of falling short.

"I've always been like that, I've always had a fear of failure, I've been a high achiever and I like to do everything to the best of my ability whether that's being a mum, a partner, or playing kick tennis with the neighbours," Bremner said.

"I think that's what a lot of athletes want to be but never feel, they always think they can do better.

"I know that because of the girls I play with – Keeley Davis, who I think is the best hooker in the game, absolutely will never give herself a pat on the back.

"She'll never say 'that was a pretty good game from me', but I think that's what it takes a lot of the time to become better, to think you're never there yet."

Roosters, Sharks advance to NRLW grand final Photo shows Sydney Roosters NRLW players embrace as they celebrate a try. The Sydney Roosters defeat two-time reigning premiers Newcastle 25-16 to reach their fourth grand final, while the Sharks books their berth following a 14-0 win over Brisbane in just their second season in the competition.

In the past, Bremner has put plenty of pressure on herself. During her previous comeback to the sport in 2022, when she was returning from the birth of her second child, she set herself the lofty goal of reclaiming her Jillaroos jersey.

She managed it, but it took a toll. This time around things were different.

"I wanted to enjoy my football, so the focus was, of course, to make a grand final, but also to enjoy my football, and I have," said Bremner.

"I've come back here with a lighter spirit."

So Bremner is keen to soak up the vibes as much as possible before she hangs up the boots – and she swears this time it'll stick.

She'll return to St George Illawarra next year as the club's female football manager and she can't wait for it.

"If it came down to just running on the rugby league field on a Saturday or Sunday, I could play forever," said Bremner.

"But it's the logistics around getting to training, recovering, spending time with my family, I can't do all that anymore.

"But that management role allows me to fulfil my passion and give young girls the opportunity to feel the things I'm feeling this week and be able to live through that instead of running on the field.

"Do you know what I love about rugby league? You give a kid, or anyone, a positive experience and they'll be a fan for life.

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"My son is a Chookies fan because of two seasons ago, and I absolutely love that by doing something I'm really passionate about and have been able to enjoy, he's now a fan of this game and his club."

But before that, there's one more game to play.

Bremner hasn't ruled out playing for the Jillaroos again in the upcoming Pacific Championships but says she'd understand if they went another way with the next World Cup already on the horizon, so Sunday really could be it.

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The Roosters go in as favourites and Bremner will be among the top contenders to take out the Karyn Murphy Medal as player of the match should they get up.

She is so close to the end, so close to achieving the final thing in a career where she's accomplished so much, that she can almost see it.

"For me, it's about the experience," Bremner said.

"The whole car ride up (from Wollongong to Roosters training) I envisioned my kids being a part of this, being on stage when we win, lifting up the trophy with them and them running around on the field.

"The experience as a whole will go to the top (of her achievements), the ring and the trophy and the fact I'll have won a premiership is great, but the whole experience for me and my family and then others looking to have a journey similar to mine, that feeling would go right up there."

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