Air Robinson: Julia ready to apply more finishing touches

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons star Julia Robinson wants to take her game to the next level by replicating the aerial feats of Xavier Coates and other NRL wingers.

The 27-year-old can't wait to take on NSW in Thursday night's Women’s State of Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off what will be an epic weekend of rugby league with the NRL's Magic Round.

Fresh from reciting The Ode before last Thursday's ANZAC Round clash between the Broncos and Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, Robinson said she was always aiming to improve her game.

“I feel like I’ve always been that person who wants to keep getting better every year… I feel like I want to be able to do that for my teammates and my team,” Robinson said.

“That always helps me to try and be better every year.”

Despite already being a hard-running, try-scoring machine for the Broncos, Maroons and Jillaroos, Robinson was confident she could do even more to elevate what she did on the field. 

“I feel like you see the men’s game, how incredible the wingers are, how athletic they are and what they can do to score tries … I want to bring that to the girls’ game," Robinson said.

I want to be able to do what the boys do, scoring those tries.

"I feel like whenever I go into a game, I obviously want to do my job, and that is to catch the balls, run hard and score the tries.

"I just try and focus on those. If I do those right, then I’m doing the right thing by the team.”

Robinson is no stranger to scoring aerial tries, but replicating the feats of fellow Maroons wing star Coates was more of a goal.

“I feel like that’s the next step for us girls, to do amazing dives for the try line, [scoring] airborne from kicks as well… that’s the next step for the girls, adding that into our game… kicking, competing for the ball and scoring those incredible tries,” she said.

“I feel like it will take the girls' game to the next level. Being able to score those kinds of tries. We’ve already had some incredible tries last year, so I feel like our game is only going to get bigger and better each year.”

The Broncos star said being a soldier was a contributing factor to her success.

“I joined the Australian Defence Force in 2017 before I started playing rugby league in 2018… I feel like they have complemented each other,” Robinson said.

“I’ve learned a lot from Defence and I’ve brought that into my rugby league; having discipline, resilience, all that stuff that we have to have in both Defence and rugby league, has definitely helped my career.

“I always look back on 2018, my first time playing rugby league, and now where I am today, I’m very proud of myself, how far I’ve come, but I wouldn’t have been able to do that without my teammates.

“They have definitely helped me from the beginning, teaching me the game, and coaches as well.”

With Maroons coach Tahnee Norris naming four players to make their Origin debut in the series opener, including Rory Owen and Jasmine Peters at centre and wing respectively, Robinson is now seen as a leader in the squad.

Having donned maroon seven times since debuting in 2020, Robinson said it was exciting to see fresh faces and she could not wait to see them rip in.

“We definitely have a few more faces this year… it’s really exciting and I’m sure they’re going to be incredible,” Robinson said.

“I’m really enjoying being one of the senior girls now. I can’t believe it’s been eight years of me playing rugby league and I still feel like it’s only been a year.

"I still feel like a newbie, but knowing I’m one of the senior players, I hope I can guide young players now and help them through anything. I love that role.

“I always just want to help people and help improve if they need anything.”