Brake on NRLW Magic Round: Embrace the chaos

Thirteen years spent playing on the rugby sevens world circuit has positioned Michaela Brake as an authority on what to expect at this weekend's inaugural NRLW Magic Round in Newcastle. 

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The Warriors' flyer will be right at home surrounded by other clubs and their fans at McDonald Jones Stadium, but also understands the reality of multiple teams playing at a single venue will present a challenge for some of her teammates who are used to their normal game day routine.

"It's what I am used to from my background in the sevens, and for me it will be really cool to have each NRLW team, each club, each culture, come together in the one arena," Brake told NRL.com.

But it's about getting used to the chaos. There's going to be a lot of different movement going on around the stadium. There's a lot of people working in the background.

Michaela Brake

"For me that's part of the job, but for some girls that can overwhelm them or potentially make them more nervous.

"The key is that we stay as focused as we possibly can. If we focus on ourselves and not what everyone else is doing, things will go a bit better for us.

"I'll pick and choose when the time is right to talk about that with the team. If the girls are in a place where they get a bit overwhelmed, that's what I'm used to, I've been part of that type of thing for a long time.

"I'm there to be a listening ear and a helping hand to get them used to that sort of feeling."

With a chunk of the Warriors squad playing in the NRLW for the first time, Brake will also be encouraging teammates to make the most of the chance to meet and mingle with players from other clubs during the weekend.

"It's going to be exciting for the girls to be around all the other teams and to have the chance to fan girl over their league heroes," she added.

"For myself, I am really hoping I can see some of the girls like [Broncos playmaker] Gayle Broughton and others who have come from the sevens."

Meanwhile Warriors coach Ron Griffiths, who previously won two NRLW premierships with the Knights, says the NRL has picked the perfect venue to host the inaugural event, while also throwing his new home city into the ring for future editions.