NRLW Titan #1 and rugby league pioneer Karina Brown has today announced her retirement from the game after a stellar 14 seasons at the top level.
Starting her career on the Gold Coast in 2010, it is only fitting the 35-year-old will finish where she began at the end of the season, hoping to return in the next two weeks from a calf strain.
Representing Queensland on nine occasions, the flyer also played a big part in the Jillaroos' 2013 and 2017 World Cup-winning campaigns; before going on to play 21 NRLW games with the Roosters, Warriors and Titans.
Off the field, Brown helped begin the Burleigh Bears and Easts Tigers women's teams which now play in Queensland's BMD Premiership, as well as being an inspiration to many young female players who aspire to follow her journey to the NRLW.
Her immense dedication to growing the game earned her the Veronica White Medal in the 2021 season, and she has been further honoured with the naming of the Karina Brown Challenge - a female-only competition on the Gold Coast for 11- and 12-year-old girls.
Brown is honoured to have played a role in the growth of women's rugby league during her 14-year career.
"It’s been a privilege to have played a small part in rugby league history. To see the growth of the game and the impact women’s rugby league has had on the community has been so inspiring," she said.
"My journey has been filled with memories I will treasure forever, made even more special alongside my family, friends, teammates and of course, fans of the game.
"This may be the end of my playing career but as a servant of the game, I still have so much more to give.
"What that looks like right now I don’t know, but I’m certainly excited to find out.
"Thank you to everyone who made my career possible, I am grateful beyond words."
Titans coach Karyn Murphy has fond memories of Brown's time in the game - playing and coaching the women's rugby league legend.
"My first memory of 'Goose' is when she debuted in 2010 for Queensland, and it's been a privilege to watch her career grow over the past 14 years," she said.
"She's a player who everyone wants to play alongside, always putting the team first no matter what level of the game she's involved in.
"She might be small in stature, but she's got such a big heart and continually plays well above her weight - the way she runs into the teeth of the defensive line and gets battered, but then gets up and goes again and again is truly inspiring.
"A pleasure to coach her in the later stage of her career, she's a player who is always one of the first picked for her selfless and relentless attitude and always someone so safe under the high ball.
"Off the field, her passion for the growth and development of the women's game is unrivalled. Helping start both a number of teams to expand the competition in Queensland, it was only fitting she was honoured with the naming of the Karina Brown Challenge as well as being the Titans' first signing when they entered the competition.
"I know she won't be lost in the game despite her hanging up the boots, and she will certainly play a big part with us here at the Titans into the future given all she has achieved in the game."
Brown will be honoured at Tuesday night's Titans Season Awards.
