Coaching brings out side to Murphy she never saw coming

She was regarded as one of the calmest leaders to ever play the game but for the past month, Karyn Murphy has learned a thing or two about herself she never thought was possible.

Since quitting the NRL's integrity unit and stepping into her first major head coaching role at the Titans, Murphy's focus has shifted, and so too her emotions.

“I’ve thrown a few pens around and poor Matty Geyer sitting next to me in the coach’s box has copped a few words,” the former Jillaroos captain says.

“I am a bit surprised, I thought I’d be more composed. It’s the emotion and passion that you’ve got for it every play. I don’t know if that will get better or worse but it was a better day today.”

That 'today' was just after Murphy and the Titans had won their first NRLW match of the season together against the Eels last weekend in what turned out to be a tense finish at AAMI Park.

Murphy, placed in the coach’s box next to the media box, could be seen animated at various times through the clash as her team either scored a try or came up with an error to turn possession over.

Coaching isn’t for everyone, but the emotional journey of leading a squad of 24 players, many of whom were part of a previous campaign, must come with pressures few others are able to experience.

“Our start was hard because you want to hit the ground running and make a good first impression as a coach so losing three in a row was disappointing,” Murphy said.

“We started shaky against the Dragons which you can accept as a first-up game. We were good against the Knights and then slipped up against Brisbane.

“As long as we’re improving and staying connected that’s what I want to see.

“But I’ve really enjoyed it all. Everything I’m doing now is different and for the first time. We’re only four weeks in but I’ve got a bit more sleep each week and am learning from different things myself.

“That’s the exciting part and I’m thankful for the Titans who have allowed me to take those steps to put on a role fulltime.”

Part of Murphy’s job when the NRLW concludes next month is to start a process of preparing the club’s junior female pathways system and building a squad for 2023.

The Gold Coast is booming with young talent in various football codes with Murphy eager to use her return to her native Queensland state to capitalise for the game.

“We’ve got growth coming with 10 teams next year and while we understand we might lose some local talent from time to time we want to make it a place where they want to stay and their goal is to make the Titans’ NRLW side,” she said.

“So while I’ve started immediately into the NRLW coaching role there’s a much bigger goal for the club to target and that’s to set us up for long-term success.”