'Got to get the job done': Sudden-death approach starts now says Murphy
Win and we're in.
That's the simple message from Karyn Murphy ahead of Sunday's final regular season clash against the Raiders in Canberra with the Gold Coast effectively needing to win in order to secure themselves the final ticket to next week's playoffs.
Whilst they do have a small 11-point buffer in case they don't spoil the milk, the Titans NRLW coach has heavily focussed on getting the two points to lock-up third spot, not then needing to worry about the scoreboard.
"We know we've got to get the job done against the Raiders and how important it is to keep our spot in the top four," Murphy said.
"It's been a great year and I'm really proud of the girls and their progression through the year. We've had a lot of tough wins along the way and they've been important wins as we come into the last round and holding our spot in the top four.
"We don't want to be relying on our for and against with Canberra vying for that last spot also, so we're really excited to go and get the job done to play finals."
Match: Raiders v Titans
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
5th Position
away Team
Titans
3rd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
With the Roosters and Broncos winning their clashes on Saturday night to secure their progression to the semi-finals, the ball is now in the court of the Titans - which has helped Murphy set the mindset of the group heading into the all-important showdown.
"There's been a big focus on us and we've spoken about that not just this week, but every week... since we got together in the pre-season actually," she said.
"We want to keep the focus on us to continually improve as a footy team and this week's definitely no different to that. We've got a big focus on not worrying about the other results or what certain teams need to win by or not.
"It's just been all about going down there and getting the win against the Raiders to keep our winning run going."
Whilst the centre of attention has been on themselves, it's hard to avoid the Gold Coast connection a number of green machines have, with former Titans Api Nicholls and Madison Bartlett set to face their former side, as well as several Burleigh Bears who are now playing for the Raiders.
"I think that's why the Raiders are the best performing new team in the competition," Murphy said.
"They've got those combinations from the Burleigh Bears with Zahara (Temara) in the halves... she's doing a great job for them leading them around the park alongside Ash Quinlan, which is a combination they had in the BMD Premiership.
"They've also got Zahara's sister Chante at nine and Api Nicholls at fullback has also been playing well for them too."
