ACT Brumbies rising star Bonnie Brewer joined The Real Radio Show this week to reflect on a defining year of highs, setbacks and growth. Since joining the Brumbies program in 2024, Brewer has progressed through the Next Gen pathway, earned three first‑grade appearances and found herself front and centre of the club’s newly announced training squad. But her journey hasn’t been without challenge. Last season, Brewer played through what was initially believed to be a minor shoulder injury, only to discover weeks later that she had fractured her collarbone, a setback that cut her women’s season short. “Honestly, that was a hard time,” Brewer said, reflecting on the frustration of not knowing why her body wasn’t right.
The turning point came with the introduction of Next Gen Sevens, which Brewer credits as a major confidence boost during her return to rugby. Playing alongside Australia’s elite Sevens athletes reminded her of her own potential and sharpened her all‑round game. “Next Gen Sevens has been an amazing thing that they’ve added,” she said, highlighting its impact on both her recovery and the growth of women’s rugby more broadly. Now healthy, confident and heading into a fresh Super Rugby season, Brewer says the Brumbies are using last year’s disappointment as motivation. “That’s our fuel,” she explained. “We’re fresh, we’re keen, and we just want to make rugby exciting again.”
Listen to the full interview with Bonnie below: