Fresh from finishing just short of a maiden grand final berth, the Gold Coast Titans are ready and raring to go for their second season in the NRLW.
Seven fresh faces join 16 Titans from the club's debut season, to be steered by Queensland and Australian legend Karyn Murphy who has joined as the Gold Coast's director of female rugby league.
An initial 23 player squad has been assembled - see below to meet your Gold Coast Titans for the new season ahead.
Madison Bartlett
As the leading try scorer in NRLW season 2021, Bartlett is sure to add some strike to the Titans backline. The New Zealand international scored six tries in six matches for the St George Illawarra Dragons on the wing last season.
Annette Brander
Brander is another experienced head that will bolster the Titans young squad with her time on the big stage. The Sunshine Coast junior has represented Australia and Queensland and has also won an NRLW premiership in her time with the Broncos. Expect the edge forward will be a valuable piece of the Titans playing roster as she returns to the NRLW fray.
Brittany Breayley-Nati
The former Queensland and Jillaroos rake brings plenty of experience to the Titans side. Brittany Breayley-Nati was the Titans inaugural NRLW Captain where she led the hard hitting team to a victory against the undefeated Brisbane Broncos and all the way to the semi finals. Breayley-Nati will be representing the Queensland Maroons before returning to the Gold Coast Titans for another epic season.
Kimi Breayley-Nati
Representing New Zealand at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Kimi Breayley-Nati is no stranger to the big stage. The Kiwi Ferns International joined the Titans for the inaugural season where she added experience in the halves. Breayley-Nati will be looking to bring home a premiership trophy for the Titans in their second NRLW season.
Karina Brown
The experienced campaigner knows what it takes to succeed in the top grade. Brown was the 2021 Veronica White Medallist and Gold Coast Titans Community Award winner. 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. Brown will be looking to push beyond the 2021 semi-final appearance and is hungry to take the Titans to the top.
Lauren Brown
A former representative in the W-League and Rugby Union, Brown was part of the Maroons’ State Of Origin victory over New South Wales in the last two seasons, and was also part of the Broncos’ NRLW grand final victory in 2020. Brown’s versatility and poise can see her fill a range of positions including hooker and joins the Titans as one of the club’s two marquee signings.
Zara Canfield
Young Zara Canfield is another prospect who made her NRLW debut in the inaugural Titans season. The second rower has had great opportunities to learn and grow her game and under the guidance of Karyn Murphy will further develop her game.
Emily Curtain
Making her NRLW debut against the Titans during the 2021 season, Emily Curtain would go on to play three times for the Parramatta Eels, before shifting north for the 2022 season. Primarily a five-eighth, Curtain has one NRLW try to her name, coincidently against her new club.
Jessika Elliston
Titans' player of the year for the 2021 season Jessika Elliston, will be returning to the Gold Coast Titans. Making the switch from the edge to being a key impact middle forward, 24-year-old Elliston is excited to continue her barnstorming form into the club's second season in the expanded competition, especially under the guise of new head coach Karyn Murphy and assistant Matt Geyer.
Jetaya Faifua
The teen live-wire is lightning fast at just 19-years-old. Faifua will be representing Queensland in the Women's State of Origin Under 19 clash before returning to the Titans for the 2022 season. Playing at both fullback and on the wing, Faifua has speed to burn and will be looking to further build on her maiden season.
Tazmin Gray
A veteran in the representative arena despite being just 26 years old, Gray will again add plenty of potency to the Titans pack. After missing two games through suspension last season, Gray will be determined to have a big impact in her second season on the Coast.
Georgia Hale
Hale showed her versatility last season, playing across a number of positions.The New Zealand international is one of the most experienced players in the Titans side and at just 26-years of age, brings plenty of energy to the side. 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
An absolute pioneer for women's rugby league and Queensland's favourite daughter. Hancock stepped out of retirement to join the Gold Coast Titans for the the inaugural season where she scored four tries and won the Members' MVP award. 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, winning the 2020 Women's State of Origin. This year she will be representing Queensland Maroons for her 17th time before returning to the Titans for another season.
Shannon Mato
A former Queensland Reds and Wallaroos player, Mato transitioned to rugby league in 2020 where she made her NRLW and Queensland Origin debut. She's starred for the Maori All Stars and will step out for Queensland in this years Ampol State of Origin. The dual-code star made her debut for the Gold Coast Titans where she spent the last half of the season out on injury. Mato will be stepping out for the Titans in the 2022 season hungry for redemption.
Hagiga Mosby
Mosby was new to the NRLW in the 2021 season, debuting with the Brisbane Broncos before joining the Titans for the new season. The 22-year-old is a former Australian Rugby Sevens and Queensland Junior Touch Football representative. A talented and exciting outside back, Mosby is also studying a Bachelor of Education outside of football.
April Ngatupuna
A young gun, an exciting rugby league prospect and the Gold Coast Titans inaugural Women's Rookie of the Year. April Ngatupuna is part of the Queensland Under 19 team for this season where she will further develop her skills before returning to the Titans. The barnstorming prop forward made her NRLW debut in the 2021 season and proved herself to be a strong up and coming player within the women's competition.
Apii Nicholls
Nicholls brings a wealth of experience to the Titans, with the 29-year-old having represented the Kiwi Ferns seven times at the international level. The talented outside back can fill a number of positions and has previously also represented the Cook Islands in rugby 7s as well as with the Warriors NRLW side.
Evania Pelite
An Olympic gold medallist, Evania Pelite joins the Gold Coast Titans after standing on the top of the podium at the 2016 Rio Olympics with the Australian Rugby Sevens side. She was also part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Off the field, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2017 for her contribution to sport. Pelite will be playing in the Ampol Women's State of Origin for the Queensland Maroons before returning to the Gold Coast Titans for another NRLW season.
Jasmine Peters
From Mackay, 19-year-old Jasmine Peters was electrifying for the Gold Coast Titans in the 2021 NRLW competition, scoring four tries through her five game season she made her presence felt. Her good form earned the North Queensland young gun selection in the Queensland Under 19 side at fullback and can't wait to come back to the Gold Coast Titans for another season.
Hailee-Jay Maunsell
Maunsell made her way from the Future Titans system into the inaugural NRLW season, playing four games on the wing and scoring a massive two tries for the club. At 18-years of age, Maunsell is yet another young prospect that will be looking to represent the Titans long term. The young gun will be representing New Zealand before returning for her second NRLW season.
Rona Peters
The talented front rower brings big game experience, having played in NRLW grand final wins with the Broncos and at the representative level. The 34-year-old has played for Queensland at Origin level and has also represented the Maori All Stars. Known for her bone-rattling hits, she’ll surely be a wrecking ball for the Titans in the new season.
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
A young and skilful utility, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith made her Origin debut at just 18 years of age last season. Going to school at Keebra Park SHS, Raftstrand-Smith has played club footy with Parkwood Sharks and made her NRLW debut with the Gold Coast Titans for our inaugural season. The New Zealand-born up-and-comer has secured a position in the Queensland Maroons and will prove herself as a force to be reckoned with in the 2022 NRLW season.
