Having made her debut in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership at only 17, Illawarra’s Koffi Brookfield is just scratching the surface in her Rugby League career so far.
But coming off a NSW Women’s Premiership Grand Final win with the Steelers in 2024, the developing half who began as a No.9 is already showing ability beyond her years in the game-managing role.
Brookfield grew up playing Rugby League with the Kiama Knights, making her way from League Tag through to tackle and eventually earning a call-up to the Steelers’ Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup squad (Under 17s).
Although 2024 didn’t start as planned while recovering from a knee injury before missing the Lisa Fiaola season, the youngster made a strong return at hooker for NSW CHS Under 18s as they reached the final of the Australian Schoolgirls Championships.
In the meantime, the Steelers were narrowly beaten 8-4 in their season-opener against Mounties, then Brookfield was brought straight into the starting side from Round Two and never looked back from there.
Brookfield went on to play nine matches including the Semi-final and Grand Final victories, producing five try assists, four line-breaks, five line-break assists, 15 tackle-breaks, 577 kick metres at 64 per game, 73 tackles and two tries.
In 2024 Brookfield also signed a NRLW development contract with St George Illawarra Dragons alongside teammate Indie Bostock, the ultimate vote of confidence for the young playmaker as she made her mark at senior grade in the NSW Women’s Premiership.
This year she joins Illawarra’s Under 19s squad for the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup, will be eligible to compete at NRLW level, and even has the opportunity to play her way into the NSW Women’s Under 19s side should her form continue.
And if Brookfield’s 2024 success is any indication, there could be plenty more on the horizon for the season ahead.
