Titans captain Georgia Hale has found it hard to hide the disappointment of Gold Coast's 2024 season, but the influential leader is urging her side to deliver for a very special occasion this weekend.
Despite a lacklustre campaign after finals success last year, the 29-year-old believes her side has plenty of inspiration and motivation to perform when the Titans face the Raiders this Sunday, with NRLW Titan #1 Karina Brown set to return for the final game of her impressive career.
"It’s been a rollercoaster ride and I think with losses come learnings, but we have an occasion to celebrate this weekend with our last round of the season and farewelling our teammate Goose," Hale said.
"When we think of Goose and the type of person she is - a beautiful person and extraordinary player - it’s been so nice to have celebrated her over the week and we look forward to the celebrations to come this weekend.
"Casting back to the season awards last Tuesday night and hearing about her extraordinary career, we feel very privileged to have been part of her journey in some small way and we wish her nothing but the best."
Reflecting on a tough year with seven season-ending injuries occurring across the campaign, the Titans captain praised the six NRLW debutants that have stepped up and donned the jersey this season.
"When someone is injured, we feel sad and sorry for our sister, but I’ve been really proud of the way the next cab off the rank has stepped up and done their job," Hale said.
"The game is in very good hands and I love seeing the girls that have come through the pathway that are Gold Coast or wide Queensland bred and are now representing that Gold Coast Titans badge.
"We look at some of our younger players in Lailani Montgomery and Sarina Masaga, we're so proud of their efforts and they've held jerseys each week because of that so I think there's lots to celebrate."
Match: Raiders v Titans
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
7th Position
away Team
Titans
8th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
With the curtains closing on their season this weekend, Hale is preparing for a tight contest with the Raiders as the home side will be looking to lift and overtake the Titans on the final ladder.
"We're looking forward to a really close challenge; they've got a strong pack and Zahara (Temara) leads them around the field really well," she said.
"But the focus this Sunday needs to come back internally with the unity in our group and the strengths that we have taking the field."
Following NRLW duties, Hale will her sights set on International duties at the upcoming 2024 Pacific Championships, where the co-captain of the Kiwi Ferns will look to come up against quite a few familiar faces.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing the spread of our Titans players that are going to be casted across different sides," she said.
"We're suiting up in our Titans armour this weekend but in a couple weeks time we're going head-to-head and I enjoy that battle and believe it makes us better players.
Ending Australia's seven-year streak of wins against them during last years Pacific Championships, the seasoned International is looking forward to facing the Jillaroos in their opening match on October 27.
"We got the one over them last year but didn’t have much to show for it but any opportunity to play the Jillaroos is an exciting one, so I look forward to that," Hale said.
