Titans NRLW coach Jamie Feeney has named a mix of international and representative players as part of his 2022 leadership group, with a fresh face also selected for the Titans inaugural campaign.
Feeney will name his captain closer to the season start, with the candidate expected to come from the six players selected in the leadership group.
Steph Hancock, former Jillaroo’s captain headlines the group, with the veteran of the women’s game having appeared 16 times for Queensland.
While Hancock is well known to rugby league followers, Grace Griffin is the new face selected by Feeney. Griffin has impressed during the pre-season, resulting in elevation to the leadership group. The Queensland touch football representative has made her mark around the squad and has become a strong voice around the group.
The other players in the leadership group are arguably automatic in their selection as they bring representative experience with both Australia and New Zealand. Former Kiwi Fern, Georgia Hale is joined by Jillaroo’s Brittany Breayley-Nati, Tazmin Gray and Karina Brown as part of Feeney’s brains trust.
Meet the six women who have made the leadership group:
Brittany Breayley-Nati:
31, the former Queensland and Jillaroos rake will bring plenty of experience to the Titans side. Brittany Breayley-Nati was the game's inaugural NRLW player of the year in 2018 and 2017’s QRLW representative player of the year. Breayley-Nati, has plenty of big game experience, fresh from winning the QRLW title with the Burleigh Bears in 2021.
Karina Brown:
32, the experienced campaigner who knows what it takes to succeed in the top grade. The speedy back has been a regular for Queensland over the last decade and was a mainstay in the title-winning 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cup Jillaroos squads. Having played for the Roosters and Warriors in previous NRLW campaigns, as well as winning 6 from 7 BHP Premiership titles Brown is nothing short of impressive.
Tazmin Gray:
26, the Australian International starred in all three NRLW seasons for three different clubs - winning the title with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019. She is also six-time Queensland representative and has proudly showcased her Maori heritage in the annual All Stars clash since 2017.
Grace Griffin:
32, despite being relatively new to rugby league, Grace Griffin is no stranger to having a Steeden in her hand. The Queensland touch football representative made her QRLW debut for the Valleys Diehards last year in the halves and is one to watch out for, particularly with her lethal passing game.
Georgia Hale:
26, the former Warriors captain is a versatile player that can fill several positions on the field. Moving from New Zealand in early 2021, Hale captained the Tweed Seagulls in the QRLW and averaged 120 running metres and 40 tackles a game. Away from rugby league, she is a former Veronica White medallist and the 2020 Young New Zealander of the Year.
Steph Hancock:
39 and an absolute pioneer for women's rugby league. The GOAT of the game joins the Titans after stints with the Brisbane Broncos and St George-Illawarra Dragons. The former Jillaroos captain made her international debut in 2003, winning multiple World Cups in the green and gold as well appearing 16 times for Queensland - her last, winning the 2020 Women's State of Origin before retiring from representative rugby league.
