Georgia Hale has made a bold statement that is typically a rarity in rugby league, sharing her love for the NRLW pre-season.
On the eve of Round 1, the Titans have endured a treacherous seven weeks preparation to help bounce back from a disappointing 2022 campaign with the Gold Coast skipper feeling their past two months of blood, sweat and tears in the club's first extended pre-season has put them in good stead for kick-off of the expanded competition.
"It's funny... you don't usually hear players say that they love pre-season but I think we can because we're not really used to having so much time together," she said.
"I think that's been a really pleasant part of it. Over the seven weeks, we've definitely been grinding together and there's been some tough times but it's also given us not only the opportunity to be conditioned, but also be connected.
"We've really loved that and we've been able to do a little bit of work off field as well and I think it just puts us in a good place coming into Round 1."
Match: Titans v Cowboys
Round 1 -
home Team
Titans
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
6th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Hale is one of 14 returning players to the side this season after finishing sixth in last year's competition, but with 10 new faces joining over the summer in key positions, the Titans leader has lauded the various additions brought to the club by coach Karyn Murphy, with the extended time together helping bring together the new and returning players.
"I think Murph's done a really good job in our off-season to recruit not only great players, but also really great people," Hale said.
"We've got a core of the girls that have returned to the club that are really proud to continue building a great relationship and connection with the Titans, but we do have some great additions to add to our side.
"I think the most exciting part is that most of it is homegrown. All girls have now moved to the Gold Coast and call the Gold Coast home, so I think that's exciting for this season and for seasons to come."
'It's a huge honour to lead the team': Hale
Murphy has echoed Hale's sentiments about this year's pre-season, but knows that is only half the job done with still plenty of work to be completed with the commencement of the season, starting with the Cowboys at home this Saturday.
"It's been a really good pre-season and I can't ask anything more from the girls so far," the Titans coach said.
"But we know there's a lot of hard work to go and a lot of improvement in us, especially with our first competition game coming up against the Cowboys."
