As one of the newest members of the front rowers' union, former back-rower Jessika Elliston has vowed she's never going back.
Voted as the Gold Coast Titans' NRLW player of the season in the club's inaugural year by her coaches and peers, it can be understood why she wants to stick solid in the middle third.
"I'm not going back. I'm more than happy in the front row," Elliston said.
"The people I'm with, I get the ball.... everything like that. I love the front row."
Elliston scores great try
The 25-year-old was a massive influence off the pine for the blue and gold throughout the season. A powerful impact player with stints of around 40-45 minutes, she averaged 111 metres a game helping truck the ball up-field, and her efforts in defence were more than valuable, keeping sides from rolling up the middle.
She is also more than comfortable in being the super sub off the bench and playing that more than important role for the team.
"I love coming off the bench. People say 'go for a starting spot' but I was like no, I love coming off the bench," Elliston said.
"I love coming on as impact. Girls like Steph Hancock, Bri Clark... they start and then we go from there. They go and set the pace and then I can come on and do my job."
Totally unexpected to receive the honour, she was expecting other standout performers such as Destiny Brill or Evania Pelite to pick up the top honour.
"I thought it was going to be Destiny or Vani [who wins it]. Like I was voting for Steph, Georgia Hale... everyone. I certainly didn't expect it," Elliston said.
"It means a lot. Especially coming from my players and my teammates, like that means more than anything really."
The 2020 Queensland representative will now play with the Tweed Seagulls in QRL's BMD Premiership before hoping for a Maroons call-up after being selected in the 32-player squad named last week.
"I'm really excited. I'm hoping to actually play for Queensland this year," Elliston said.
"It would be really good to put the jersey back on so that is definitely one of my goals."
2021 Titans NRLW player of the year tally
Jessika Elliston - 7 votes
Destiny Brill - 6 votes
Evania Pelite - 5 votes
Steph Hancock - 4 votes
April Ngatupuna - 4 votes
Shaniah Power - 3 votes
Brittany Breayley-Nati - 2 votes
Georgia Hale - 2 votes
Karina Brown - 2 votes
Kimiora Breayley-Nati - 1 vote
