Titans NRLW team and 2022 Draw

[Titanic]

I’m a paid-up member too Bodsie but I want them as an integral part of the Club not as an accessory.

[DIEHARD]

Triple-header to launch NRLW season
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...h-nrlw-season/



The rescheduled 2021 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership will kick off on February 27 with a triple-header scheduled in Newcastle as part of a blockbuster 2022 draw announcement made on Tuesday.

After a postponement of the competition's start date in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRL has confirmed a seven-week competition will take place early next year before a fifth season later in 2022.

Foundation club St George Illawarra and newcomers Gold Coast will open the season at McDonald Jones Stadium, followed by a 2020 grand final rematch between defending champions Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters.

Newcastle will go head-to-head with Parramatta to finish the first round before the competition shifts to Wollongong's WIN Stadium on March 6 for a second week of triple-header standalone matches.

The NRLW will then align with the NRL Telstra Premiership from round three with matches scheduled to be played alongside the men's draw throughout March.

"We have three new teams, two additional rounds, semi-finals matches for the first time, as well as a great chance to put the elite women's competition - our biggest yet - front and centre early in the rugby league calendar year," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

"Clearly it was disappointing for us that we were unable to play the 2021 competition this year due to COVID. But with adversity comes opportunity.

"Next year will be our biggest yet for the elite women's game - with two Premierships, State of Origin, All Stars and a World Cup.

"Thank you to our broadcast partners and to our loyal naming rights partner, Telstra for helping create a great 2022 schedule for fans.

"With additional teams and an extended competition, February 27 will mark a new era for the women's game."

Newcastle's inaugural NRLW side will join their male counterparts and travel to the Sydney Cricket Ground for a round three clash against the Roosters on March 12.

Parramatta will host a home game against the Titans the following day before the men's fixture gets underway shortly after at CommBank Stadium on March 13.

The Titans, Broncos and Dragons will all host home games in the final two rounds of the competition before a finals series takes place in April.

Four teams will advance through to the semi-finals on April 3 with the NRLW grand final to be played on April 10.

The Broncos are the reigning NRLW champions having won the past three titles since the competition began in 2018.

More than a dozen premiership-winning Broncos players will return to defend their title while others have shifted to rival clubs.

NRLW clubs will have until late January to finalise their rosters following the competition's delay.

Brisbane have four spots left on their roster to confirm while cross-town rivals Gold Coast have two spots to fill.

The Roosters require another five signings while Parramatta are yet to unveil 11 of their new recruits.

Newcastle have confirmed just two of their 24 after several players from New Zealand and Queensland returned home in October.

St George Illawarra have another seven signings to announce following the recent addition of former Jillaroos and rugby sevens star Emma Tonegato.

The NRLW will be shown live across broadcast partners Channel Nine and Fox League throughout the season.

A draw for the fifth competition isn't expected to be unveiled until later next year.

As part of the announcement, the All Stars fixture will be played on February 12 while State of Origin will take place on June 24 at venues to be confirmed.

Queensland has hosted the past two women's Origin matches on the Sunshine Coast after NSW previously hosted two at North Sydney Oval.

The Maroons and Sky Blues are level at 2-2 in the head-to-head battle since 2018.

[lonegull]

Can’t wait for these games to get underway looking forward to seeing the titans ladies win their first premiership

[psmitty]

A Women's Rugby League Team is good but what we really need is a netball team then we would be complete.

[lonegull]

A Women's Rugby League Team is good but what we really need is a netball team then we would be complete.

Heard that the titans are well advanced in talks and are near certainties to have a team in the super netball competition in the next couple of years

[Titanic]

Heard that the titans are well advanced in talks and are near certainties to have a team in the super netball competition in the next couple of years

I like the concept of creating a multi-code powerhouse brand.

[Upthetits]

The Gold Coast Titans have applied for a licence to compete in the Sapphire Series, tier below the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition with a view of ultimately joining the world’s premier netball league.
It is understood the Titans will announce their plans, including their inaugural netball coach, next week as the club reveals its vision to become more than just an NRL club.

Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle has long championed women in sport and leadership roles, and is an advocate of the Titans evolving into a multi-sport, community-focused entity.

It’s a model big European soccer clubs like Real Madrid have successfully implemented.

On the Titans’ doorstep is the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the venue used for the 2018 Commonwealth Games netball competition.

Additionally, the Gold Coast is home to a large New Zealand-Pacific Island population, in excess of 50,000, with netball the national women’s sport for both countries.

Earlier this year a “landmark” broadcast rights deal struck was struck.

Netball Australia, Super Netball League Commission and Foxtel Group announced a groundbreaking new five-year broadcast and digital rights contract, which will see every Suncorp Super Netball game aired live and ad-break free during play.

The deal, which runs from 2022 to 2026, will ensure the sport’s elite competition remains freely accessible to Australia’s massive netball fanbase, as netball is the country’s No. 1 female team participation sport.

The rights package includes:

— Every game of every round of the Super Netball competition aired live and ad-break free during play on Foxtel Group platforms, including Foxtel and Kayo Sports

— Two games being available live and free as part of ‘Kayo Freebies’, along with every match of the finals series.

The new deal is also a major financial boost for Super Netball’s existing eight clubs and extra security for its elite players, who’ll be paid by the league.

Suncorp Super Netball League to set to resume in 2022 on Saturday 26 March.

The season will start and finish earlier than previous years due to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will be held from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August.

Netball Tasmania has also applied for a licence to compete in Suncorp Super Netball competition next season.

[Hail Sezer]

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...nrlw-campaign/

Big signing.

[DIEHARD]

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...nrlw-campaign/

Big signing.

She's the first player in history to have won an Olympic gold medal and also pull on a Gold Coast Titans jersey.

Pelite grew up playing rugby league, but in a time when the pathway stopped before your teenage years, she had to move into another code to advance her playing career.

[DIEHARD]

Rookie watch: Titans' army medic ready to tackle NRLW
http://www.nrl.com

Ahead of the rescheduled NRL Telstra Women's Premiership, NRL.com profiles the next crop of talent ready to make their mark in 2022.

Name: Lauren Dam
Age: 25
NRLW club: Titans
Position: Wing/Centre

Titans recruit Lauren Dam first caught the eye of coach Jamie Feeney during the Harvey Norman National Championships in May last year when she was crowned the fittest competitor in the open's division.

The army medic was representing the Australian Defence Force at the carnival, a pathways team that has seen the likes of Julia Robinson, Meg Ward and Talesha Quinn go on to achieve higher honours in recent years.

Part of the Championships included pre-testing with Dam standing out in the 30-15, agility test and vertical jump.

"I got a bit lucky because at the time I was in the right physical fitness with training and playing because I had just been through a work program and a season with the Wests Brisbane Panthers," Dam told NRL.com.

"I got a phone call a few days later from Feens. It was out of the blue, I was aware of who he was but had never spoken to him before.

"I jumped at the opportunity. It's just exciting to be part of the inaugural team at the Titans, I can't wait to start training and want to push to get a spot in the team."

Dam grew up in the coastal town of Sawtell in NSW before being sent south to Albury for army training.

It was there she began to get more heavily involved in team sports related to rugby league.

"I played a lot of OzTag, touch footy and league tag. Dad used to play for Balmain so I support the Wests Tigers, it's a bit of a family connection," she said.

"I didn't take league on properly until I got posted to Brisbane, so I joined the Panthers in the local competition.

"I just chase that adrenaline, you want to play that faster game. I just go out and play hard."

[DIEHARD]

Squad game: Titans NRLW analysis and best 17
https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/01/14/...s-and-best-17/

The Titans are one of three new clubs that will compete in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership and boast an inaugural squad with plenty of youth and international experience.

Titans coach Jamie Feeney is close to finalising the group of 24 players who will step onto the field for the first time in 2022 with the intent to make an immediate impact on the competition.

A possible 13 debutantes make up the squad so far including young guns Destiny Brill and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, who both excelled in women's State of Origin in 2021.

Raftstrand-Smith had a bumper 2021, winning player of the tournament honours at the Harvey Norman National Championships in May before being part of Burleigh's win in the BHP Premiership.

The young gun was used as a back-rower in her Origin debut for Queensland but is more than capable of slotting into the halves.

Rising forward April Ngatupuna and Jasmine Peters are also players to have on the radar for the future.

Arguably the side's biggest signing came in late December with confirmation former Warrior and Olympic gold medallist Evania Pelite will join the club.

Pelite starred in the centres during her time in the NRLW in 2020 but could provide an even greater impact at fullback.

Possible best 17
1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jasmine Peters 4. Lauren Dam 5. Jetaya Faifua 6. Kimiora Breayley-Nati 7. Karli Hansen 8. Crystal Tamarua 9. Destiny Brill 10. Shannon Mato 11. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 12. Tazmin Gray 13. Georgia Hale. Interchange: 14. Brittany Breayley-Nati 15. Steph Hancock 16. Brianna Clark 17. Jessika Elliston.

Biggest strength
The side's engine room easily matches rivals with plenty of international experience.

Crystal Tamarua and Georgia Hale are among the best forwards to come out of New Zealand while Tazmin Gray was player of the match in the 2021 women's Origin after a dominating performance on the edge.

The likes of Steph Hancock and Brittany Breayley-Nati coming adds further experience and while there was no room for stalwart Rona Peters on this occasion, no doubt the former Bronco will play a part throughout the season.

Biggest question mark
Likely halves pairing Kimiora Breayley-Nati and Karli Hansen are untested as a combination and will need to click fast to steer the side around the field.

Both players bring plenty of upside with their games but like the rest of their teammates have played minimal football in the last 18 months.

Breayley-Nati hasn't played an NRLW game since 2019 following a heart scare but prior to that showed her class while at the Broncos to earn player of the match honours in the 2018 NRLW grand final.

Hansen made her Test debut for the Kiwi Ferns in 2020 and impressed alongside Knights playmaker Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly.

Draw snapshot
The Titans will open their campaign with a history-making clash against the Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium on February 27.

They'll return home to the Gold Coast in round four for a local derby clash against heavyweights Brisbane at CBus Super Stadium on March 19 in another key match.

[shamus]

OK.. can someone enlighten me as to the correct time for the Round 4 Titans V Broncos at Cbus on Sat 19th March please. I have the Women at 1pm and the men at 2pm. Take off an hour for both due to DS but Womens kick off only an hour before the fellas seems incorrect to me?

[MaroonTitan]

Womens is at 1pm and Mens is at 3pm.

Would've been a 2pm game if it wasn't for the double header.

[DIEHARD]

Gray keen to take on 'enforcer' role for Titans
https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/02/01/...le-for-titans/

Gold Coast local Tazmin Gray brings plenty of experience to the Titans and as a premiership winner, she wants to create an environment filled with success for her new teammates.

[DIEHARD]

Leadership group named for Titans NRLW
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...r-titans-nrlw/

Titans NRLW coach Jamie Feeney has named a mix of international and representative players as part of his 2022 leadership group, with a fresh face also selected for the Titans inaugural campaign.

Feeney will name his captain closer to the season start, with the candidate expected to come from the six players selected in the leadership group.

Steph Hancock, former Jillaroo’s captain headlines the group, with the veteran of the women’s game having appeared 16 times for Queensland.

While Hancock is well known to rugby league followers, Grace Griffin is the new face selected by Feeney. Griffin has impressed during the pre-season, resulting in elevation to the leadership group. The Queensland touch football representative has made her mark around the squad and has become a strong voice around the group.

The other players in the leadership group are arguably automatic in their selection as they bring representative experience with both Australia and New Zealand. Former Kiwi Fern, Georgia Hale is joined by Jillaroo’s Brittany Breayley-Nati, Tazmin Gray and Karina Brown as part of Feeney’s brains trust.

Meet the six women who have made the leadership group:

Brittany Breayley-Nati:

31, the former Queensland and Jillaroos rake will bring plenty of experience to the Titans side. Brittany Breayley-Nati was the game's inaugural NRLW player of the year in 2018 and 2017’s QRLW representative player of the year. Breayley-Nati, has plenty of big game experience, fresh from winning the QRLW title with the Burleigh Bears in 2021.

Karina Brown:

32, the experienced campaigner who knows what it takes to succeed in the top grade. The speedy back has been a regular for Queensland over the last decade and was a mainstay in the title-winning 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cup Jillaroos squads. Having played for the Roosters and Warriors in previous NRLW campaigns, as well as winning 6 from 7 BHP Premiership titles Brown is nothing short of impressive.

Tazmin Gray:

26, the Australian International starred in all three NRLW seasons for three different clubs - winning the title with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019. She is also six-time Queensland representative and has proudly showcased her Maori heritage in the annual All Stars clash since 2017.

Grace Griffin:

32, despite being relatively new to rugby league, Grace Griffin is no stranger to having a Steeden in her hand. The Queensland touch football representative made her QRLW debut for the Valleys Diehards last year in the halves and is one to watch out for, particularly with her lethal passing game.

Georgia Hale:

26, the former Warriors captain is a versatile player that can fill several positions on the field. Moving from New Zealand in early 2021, Hale captained the Tweed Seagulls in the QRLW and averaged 120 running metres and 40 tackles a game. Away from rugby league, she is a former Veronica White medallist and the 2020 Young New Zealander of the Year.

Steph Hancock:

39 and an absolute pioneer for women's rugby league. The GOAT of the game joins the Titans after stints with the Brisbane Broncos and St George-Illawarra Dragons. The former Jillaroos captain made her international debut in 2003, winning multiple World Cups in the green and gold as well appearing 16 times for Queensland - her last, winning the 2020 Women's State of Origin before retiring from representative rugby league.