NT Titans women’s side goes undefeated in National Championships on the Gold Coast

A young Territory squad caught plenty of sides by surprise after coming away as the undefeated champions of the NRL National Championships. See what led to their victory.

The NT Titans women’s side have laid the foundation for future touring sides after going undefeated in the NRL national championships.

Prior to the tournament the women were expected to make a real dent, but their attitude and results on and off the field took many by surprise.

Despite their average age of just 21 the side took the tournament by storm leaving their first two opponents scoreless beating the Australian Defence Force 14-0 before seeing off South Australia 32-0.

And the wins kept coming from there with the women beating Victoria 28-12, before coming from behind to triumph 12-8 in the final against Western Australia.

Most impressive for coach Leon Cleal was how the side acquitted themselves in defence with the best tackle effectiveness in the tournament and missing the least tackles overall.

“In the back of my mind I knew we had the team, the capability and the skill set, it was just about whether we could deliver on the mindset,” Cleal said.

“It was about our attitude and we talked about how our defence creates our attitude and puts our mindset in the right place.

The NRL NT Titans women's side went undefeated during the 2023 national championships.

“They certainly turned it up in defence, their aggressiveness there really set the platform for us to be on the front foot, and we attacked in defence not just when we had the ball.

“They played some really, really good footy and we had some really talented players in that side.”

Vice-captain and 2020 Gaynor Maggs Medallist Latoniya Norris starred throughout the week and was named in the team of the tournament, alongside former Nightcliff star Nanise Vakacavu.

Darwin Brothers standout Ellie Niki and Ilisapeci Bari dominated in the forwards, while captain Bianca Scrymgour drove the mindset on and off the field.

However, Cleal also gave plenty of credit to how the side bonded throughout the competition putting aside their separate clubs and backgrounds to come together as one NT team.

“I’ve never seen a group gel so well, if anyone started to fall out of the circle they were quickly embraced and brought back in,” he said.

“Good teams are led by the coach, but championship teams are led by the players and that was evident with this group.

“We did a real emotional, cultural exercise when we got down there where we talked about our whys, why we were there and why we wanted to represent the NT.

The NRL NT Titans women's side caught plenty of sides by surprise in the Combined Affliated States Championships.

“Structurally, tactically and technically they were great on the field, but how they held themselves off the football field was unbelievable.

“They set the new standard for how teams behave and act around tournaments, even the bigger teams as in NSW and Queensland were looking up at them.

“And they’re all about encouraging the next generation, our under-16s and under-18s and pushing them to join RISE programs.”

And with the results how they were Cleal hinted more than one player would be targeted for higher honours, with even members of the Jillaroos showing interest.

“There are talent scouts and managers chasing girls already,” Cleal said.

“There will be higher representative opportunities for some of them and the Australian Jillaroos coach Brad Donald was really impressed.

“After our grand final Ali Brigginshaw came over to see us and I was amazed when she said she didn’t know women played rugby league in the NT.

“She told us we exploded the tournament and brought the crowds, saying she would come up to watch the local comp at some stage.”

Young NT rep side ready ‘to make a dent’ in NRL national champs

A young squad full of the best women’s NRL talent from across the Territory is taking on the National Championships this week, and their coach believes they can ”surprise a lot of teams”.

With an average age of about 21, the NT Titans will compete at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast from Thursday to Sunday.

And coach Leon Cleal is certain his players will not only surprise their southern competitors, but also lay the foundation for future NT rep sides.

“I’m looking forward to it, the average age is about 21, it’s a very futuristic NT side,” he said.

“This side really has the chance to set the standard and create a legacy for NT sides to follow and hopefully a lot of them will be there for many years to come.”

The 2023 NT rep women's squad at the airport before heading to the National Championships on the Gold Coast.

There’s plenty of experience in the squad including Darwin Brothers captain Bianca Scrymgour, who will take the helm of the rep squad.

There’s also plenty of players with experience in southern leagues including Abigail Sekitoga, Nanise Vakacavu and Ilisapeci Bari who have all gone away to play with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

While both Latoniya Norris-Addo and Kiyanah Toy have won the NRL NT Gaynor Maggs medal in recent years.

“There’s a lot from that Brothers team which should be good for us getting combinations together,” Cleal said.

“The difficult thing for us is being such a big state with girls all over the place, which has made it hard to have group training sessions.

“What I’ve really enjoyed is they’ve all gelled really well, there’s been no separation, no club versus club, it’s just a really, really good mix.

The 2023 NT rep women's squad presented with their jerseys ahead of the National Championships.

“We could be a bit underprepared from that point of view, but when it comes to mentality we’re more than ready.

“We have some high expectations for ourselves, we’re coming here thinking we can be very, very competitive.

“If we put things together I think we can make a real dent in this competition and surprise a lot of teams.”

ALL THE PLAYERS

Abigail Sekitoga (Canterbury Bulldogs), Rose-Maree Goninon (Palmerston Raiders), Nanise Vakacavu (Canterbury Bulldogs), Latoniya Norris-Addo (Darwin Brothers), Jacinda Summers (Darwin Brothers), Courtney Tamati (Darwin Brothers), Siniva Sa’anga (South Sydney), Bianca Scrymgour (Darwin Brothers), Calista Boyd-Niki (Darwin Brothers), Tusiga Salei (CARFL), Ilisapeci Bari (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ivana Schober (Darwin Brothers), Ellie Niki (Darwin Brothers), Cassiela Wapau (Darwin Brothers), Lauren Linton (Darwin Brothers), Kiyanah Toy (Litchfield Bears), Shae Muhleisen (Northern Sharks), Abigail Kate Hills (Wynnum Manly Seagulls NRLW Ipswich), Jayda Lofipo (Wynnum Manly Seagulls NRLW), Tyla Kingdon (Darwin Brothers).

Originally published as NT Titans women’s side goes undefeated in National Championships on the Gold Coast