Warwick talent adds her voice to NRLW
RUGBY LEAGUE: Jo Barrett rose to daunting heights throughout her rugby league playing journey.
From donning the maroon of Queensland to winning a World Cup with the Australian Jillaroos, her career had it all.
Since her playing days ended, Warwick’s Barrett has been able to continue her career in the game behind the microphone.
With the formation of the NRLW competition last year, she was offered a role by Channel Nine on the commentary panel.
Such was her expertise and skill shown, she was a part of the team on grand final day last year.
It maintains a memorable involvement in the game, and Barrett said she sometimes still had to pinch herself with the position she was in.
“I always have a really good time,” Barrett said.
“It’s a privilege to be in a position to be a voice to the women’s game.
“I still find it quite surreal, almost unnerving at times.
“I still feel very much like the girl from Warwick. I’m a full-time teacher at Nudgee, so to be able to commentate on the weekend is amazing.”
Throughout the year, Barrett has had the chance to work with some of the sharpest minds in the game, including former Parramatta great Peter Sterling and New South Wales’ most successful coach, Phil Gould.
While admitting it was daunting at first, she said she had been able to settle into the role.
“At first I was quite overawed,” she said.
“When the roster comes through and you see who you’re working with, it can be quite daunting.
“But the beauty of being around them is they are so welcoming and humbling.
“It’s really fun and you can enjoy the call when you feel relaxed.”
Barrett’s level of expertise comes in the form of her intimate knowledge of the stars of the game, something she has been honoured to share.
“For the three of us who call, Phil or Sterlo will analyse the game and my role is to bring the story of the girls and the women’s game to them,” she said.
“They’ll ask me for pronunciations and what I know. We’re all treated as equals and share information.
“That’s where they’ll ask me things and it makes me glad that I have something to offer.”
Steph Hancock and the Brisbane Broncos will take on the New Zealand Warriors today at 5pm.