![Iconic cliché helping Titans remain on top](/contentassets/e7d563d7a0c0405e8b095698e00a8942/72584196_hancocks-ormond-maunsellh-j-230805_gp_06673_202385161617.jpg?center=0.164%2C0.476&preset=hero-primary-wide)
It's one of the most overused sayings in rugby league, but Karyn Murphy has attributed the Gold Coast's stellar start to 2023 to her simple week-by-week approach.
Unbeaten in their first three games after wins against the Cowboys, Broncos and Sharks; the Titans are set for arguably their toughest challenge yet in a top of the table clash against the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday.
But the NRLW coach is confident her side is up the challenge, admitting a big focus on themselves and investing in what they want to achieve has helped them go three from three - particularly icing the past two games at the death with clutch plays from a number of their stars.
"We've really wanted to concentrate on ourselves and its an old cliché, but go through wee-by-week, particularly just working on those one percenters and on those little things that we want to get better," Murphy said.
"That's what we've been doing, so whether I expected it.. I expected us to perform much better and be 'that team' and it's we're definitely in a good position to be three and zero rather than the other way around.
"I'm just really impressed with the way the girls have bought into how we want to play. It mightn't be pretty and we've had a couple of nail-biting games, but they're finding a way to win and and that's the really pleasing part."
Ormond-Maunsell with the match-winner
Having bounced back from a rather disappointing 2022 season, Murphy is extremely proud to now be a team the rest of the competition has their eyes on, especially developing the hard edge and relentlessness that doesn't go away for the entire 70-minute contest.
"This time last year, teams would probably think they're pretty confident to maybe tick off a win against us, but we're not that team anymore," she said.
"I think those tough performances have been the most pleasing thing with getting those tight wins and the way the girls have gone about it and didn't go away from our processes and how we want to play.
"They just stuck with it and fought hard and grounded those games out, so we're going down there with another job to do.
"We've got a couple of hard games ahead and had some tough games before, so we're going away determined to get the job done again this week."
Match: Knights v Titans
Round 4 -
home Team
Knights
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Whilst a majority of focus has been within the four walls at Parkwood, the Titans coach has kept one eye on the defending premiers and the threats they possess at home - especially their world-class fullback Tamika Upton who will go up against one of the Coast's best in Evania Pelite.
"Tamika is up there as arguably one of the best players in the world, but we've got a pretty handy player there with Vani at fullback as well... so that'll be a great battle," Murphy said.
"She's a quality player and we'll have to be watching her closely and not giving her too much space."
Kick-off is at 1.50pm on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.