In 2010, Brander began playing rugby league for the Caboolture under-18 side and the Sunshine Coast Sirens. In 2012, she joined Brisbane Women's Division 1 side, the Beerwah Bulldogs. In 2014, she made her debut for
Australia in their 12-8 loss to
New Zealand in
Wollongong. In October 2017, she was named in
Australia's
2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup squad, playing four games in the tournament.
2018 In June 2018, she represented Queensland Country at the 2018 NRL Women's National Championships. In July 2018, Brander joined the
St George Illawarra Dragons in the
NRL Women's Premiership. In Round 1 of the
2018 NRL Women's season, Brander made her debut for the Dragons in their 4–30 loss to the
Brisbane Broncos.
2019 In June 2019, she again represented Queensland Country at the NRL Women's National Championships. Later that month, she signed with the
Brisbane Broncos. On 6 October 2019, she started at in the Broncos' 30–6
Grand Final win over the Dragons and won the Karyn Murphy Medal for Player of the Match.
2020 On 25 October 2020, she came off the bench in the Broncos' 20–10 Grand Final win over the
Sydney Roosters.
2021 In 2021, Brander joined the
Central Queensland Capras in the
QRL Women's Premiership. ==Achievements and accolades==