Taliah Fuimaono is determined as ever to bring success to the Gold Coast after a tough first two seasons as a Titan.
Enduring a rollercoaster first year in 2023 after an ankle injury proved to be season-ending in the opening game, it culminated with niggling injuries and time on the sidelines through suspension last season alongside the team's disappointing results.
But upon committing for the 2025 season and remaining loyal to the Titans, the 25-year-old has reflected on an early discussion with coach Karyn Murphy to fuel her motivational fire and get back to her best to help achieve ultimate glory for the place she loves to call home.
"I remember when I flew up for the first time to meet with the Titans [at the start of 2023]... they had a presentation to show me and there was a slide that said no team had brought a premiership back to the Gold Coast," Fuimaono told titans.com.au.
"That one really stuck with me ever since then.
"I obviously got ruled out in Round 1 [of our grand final season], but I really got to ride the rollercoaster with the girls.
"In the week leading into that grand final, you really got to witness how much the club and the community got behind the girls.
"I think that was huge for me to watch and that’s probably why everyone was so disappointed last year because we not only let ourselves and the club down, but also the community. We knew we should’ve and could’ve done better.
"Heading into 2025, we all know and understand there’s still a job to do and a stone unturned. We know we’ve got the talent and the right people to do it and everyone is hungrier than ever.
"For myself, I haven’t been able to give the best of me in terms of on field and haven’t reached my full potential, which is why I’m really looking forward to the pre-season and doing all the work to put my best foot forward this year and in the future as well."
The representative half's 2025 campaign began on a high with her role helping the Indigenous All Stars to victory in Sydney earlier this month - the performance boosting her belief that she can return to being one of the form playmakers in the NRLW.
"All Stars is obviously a lot more than just a footy game. There’s so much more that goes into that week and it’s about so much more in terms of culture," Fuimaono said
"For me personally - aside from the cultural and cup-filling stuff that we do - the footy really excited me because I did come off quite a rough rollercoaster couple seasons that took a real toll on my confidence as a player.
"Not only having the freedom and no expectations, but to just enjoy footy was really exciting and it gave me a bit of a taste of what this year can look like.
"It’s just the beginning and it's only up from there."
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Titans
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Fuimaono is also extremely excited by the return of Aaron Booth to the coaching ranks and the appointment of former Jillaroos top trainer Simon Buxton to head up the club's high performance program - expecting it to be a huge boost for their pre-season preparations to rewrite the wrongs of last year's disappointment.
"They're going to massive to our success this year," she said.
"Bucko is the elite of the elite and we really missed Boothy last year. The energy they both hold is going to be huge for us.
"I don’t think they realise how much of a part they can play moving forward over these next few months.
"Alongside our trailblazer coach Karyn Murphy, she has a lot of knowledge so we are in very good hands."
