The NRLW will farewell two of its most influential figures with Sydney Roosters pair Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter announcing their retirements.
Elliott and Baxter confirmed on Wednesday that this NRLW season would be their last, leaving the duo on track to go out with another premiership at the Roosters.
Elliott’s decision to call it a day is a shock.
She is 28 and hopes to play for Australia at the end-of-year World Cup, but after having a child last year the front-rower wants to prioritise a growing family.
An emotional Baxter said on Thursday she had made the call after returning from last year’s ACL rupture.
Corban Baxter was among the Roosters’ foundation players. (Getty Images: Matt King)
The 32-year-old has still starred for the Roosters at fullback, but felt her body was finding it hard to keep up with the demands.
Both have been stars of the NRLW since its second season in 2019, with Baxter missing the opening four-week competition through a shoulder injury.
Elliott was the first player to win premierships at three clubs and has also had one of the loudest voices in the growth and direction of the competition.
“In a little while we’ll look back and realise how significant this time was and the inception of the NRLW,” Elliott said.
“When the competition came in, let’s be honest no-one really cared. I’m not sugarcoating it.
“But the fact we’re sitting here in a press conference room, we’ve got State of Origin where we have millions of people tune in.
“We go to a footy game and people know who we are; that’s just crazy.”
Elliott won two premierships at Brisbane in 2019 and 2020, before taking a title at Newcastle in 2022 and another at the Roosters in 2024.
The Tri-colours are unbeaten this year, headed into the finals with their only defeat in the past two seasons coming in the 2025 decider against Brisbane.
She was the Roosters’ captain for their premiership in 2021 and has set the culture for the club, now a powerhouse of the competition.
In a career halted at times by pregnancy and injury, the mother of three played her first of seven Tests for Australia in 2016 and also played in seven Origins for NSW.
“The Roosters are going to be strong for a very long time because of that foundation that we’ve built and I’m proud of that,” she said.
“What I love is seeing the ones in our systems really thriving from playing football from a young age and coming through and playing with us now.”
AAP
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