The Canberra Raiders are excited to announce the signing of young forward Ellie Brander for the next two NRLW seasons.
The 18-year-old was part of the Sydney Roosters 2025 NRLW Squad as a development player, as well as the Roosters Tarsha Gale Cup team that made it to the 2025 Grand Final and the Central Coast Roosters Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership team.
The Wyong Roos junior also captained the Central Coast Sports College team that won the 2025 NSW PCYC Schoolgirls Cup, named Player of the Final.
Raiders NRLW Coach Darrin Borthwick said he is excited to work with Brander and provide her with her first Top 24 contract.
Borthwick credits Raider #324 Blake Austin for bringing Brander to his attention.
“Blake Austin is working up at Central Coast Sports College and he did speak to me about a talented player he had up there.
“I did my research, she was a development player with the Roosters this year and played Tarsha Gale and moved into the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership competition.
“I think she’s ready to take that step and I watched her closely after I had spoken to Blake.
“I think this type of player, we talk about if you are good enough, it shouldn’t matter about your age and I think she’s ready to step up.
“When I offered her the opportunity to come here, it was a tough decision for her but speaking to her about the players that we have here, the first thing she mentioned was that Simaima Taufa was someone she’s looked up to and the opportunity to come down and learn from her.
“Getting Ellie down here and into our system, I’m looking forward to working with her. She’s young and hungry, a bit similar to Elise Simpson this year.
“I’m really looking forward to having her here and I know she’s excited to get down here and join the squad and give it her best shot.”
Brander said she is excited to make the move to Canberra and start the next chapter in her rugby league journey.
“I’m really excited, I was obviously a bit nervous but it already feels really comfy. I’m really, really excited about what the future holds,” Brander said.
“Blake Austin was my coach at school. I had a couple of big chats to him about it all and we went for the meeting with Darrin. I really loved Darrin from the first conversation we had so I was pretty pumped and eager to get down here.
“Blake was a pretty big mentor for me and my schooling, footy and everything like that, and he’s obviously a bit of a legend around here I believe. Having him around was definitely helpful and I think he put in a good word.
“I’ve been looking up to Simaima for a little while now. She’s a pretty big inspiration so I’m pretty pumped to hopefully play with her.
“I feel like this is a big family club and it’s something I’m really excited to get amongst so I just want to create good friendships and get close with everyone.”
