'Really excited': Hale's chance to be part of something special

Titans recruit Georgia Hale says the chance to be part of the club's inaugural NRLW side is a special opportunity.

The Kiwi Ferns star was unveiled on Monday alongside her 2020 Warriors teammates Karina Brown, Tazmin Gray and Crystal Tamarua plus 2018 Dally M winner and former Bronco Brittany Breayley-Nati as the club's five marquee signings for the 2021 NRLW season.

The Titans opportunity was a serendipitous one for the 25-year-old, who moved to Queensland after the previous NRLW season for a variety of reasons including to support her partner who was working on the Gold Coast, throwing herself into the BHP competition with the Tweed Seagulls.

"I was really excited to come over here and experience some club footy," Hale told NRL.com.

"I didn't really know what I was doing NRL-wise, it was still a bit touch-and-go with it being a rather new competition, I didn’t know what was cemented for 2021.

"With the announcement of the Titans it was a pretty exciting time and to land a spot here, everything fell into place really nicely.

"Being a fresh club, it's nice to come in as a new player and leave our mark on the club, pulling together a different group of girls, it's an exciting season ahead.

"It also comes with a bit of responsibility, we want to pave the way as best we can and ensure whoever comes in next can produce something that is of a high standard.

"I'm really excited to be one of the five and eventually one of the 22 when the rest of our group is named. To be an inaugural player at a club is an absolute honour."

Hale is hopeful that having those five marquee players locked in might help attract more talent to the club as coach Jamie Feeney builds his roster towards the squad of 22 that will compete for this year's NRLW title.

"If I was looking at it, I'd think 'Brittany Breayley-Nati, what an opportunity to play alongside her or Tazmin Gray who's just come off a really solid Origin game,' you look at those names, some of those girls will really draw in some other players that will be excited to be part of what the Titans are going to create," Hale said.

"Plus being a Gold Coast team there's a lot of talent in our own backyard so it would be good to get our hands on some of the talent coming through."

Hale isn't sure what her playing future may look like past this year given the ongoing change and uncertainty; she's hopeful her old club the Warriors will indeed return to the competition next year but is open to the idea of staying longer term on the Gold Coast.

"Firstly just the announcement of the six teams this year then confirmation of eight next year, it's really exciting," she said.

"My focus will be here at the Titans to see what I can produce, how I can grow and get better as a player. If the Warriors are included next year that will be exciting. They're my home club and I've been loyal to them the past three seasons so it’s just nice female players now have options.

"They can play for their home team but if their situation changes or they move away or need to relocate there's a lot of options now available. When you include more teams like this year, there's more contracts up for grabs, other female players will experience NRLW which is exciting.

"The priority will be this season then weigh up my options, look at my personal situation then make a decision for 2022."

While the former Test five-eighth is prepared to slide back into the halves if her new club requires it, she sees herself more as a ball-playing lock these days.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying my time in the middle," Hale said.

"If I can help out and roll up my sleeves I'm all for it and the ability to ball play in the middle is a bit of a tool I can carry with me.

"I'm unsure of where I'll be placed in the Titans mix, it's all quite fresh and we'll have to see what works best for our group but I'd love to put my hand up for that position again."