From wooden spooners to grand finalists in just 12 months, how Hale helped turn the Titans around
She was entrusted to lead the team after it had won the wooden spoon in 2022 – but never did 2023 captain George Hale think she would get the Gold Coast Titans women’s side to a grand final so quickly.
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She was entrusted to lead the team after it had won the wooden spoon in 2022 – but never did 2023 captain George Hale think she would get the Gold Coast Titans women’s side to a grand final so quickly.
She was announced as captain at the beginning of the season. Now she and her Titans teammates have made history becoming the first Gold Coast side to make it to a grand final at national level, after downing the Sydney Roosters 12-0 last weekend.
Hale, who joined the Titans from the New Zealand Warriors, said she knows her new team can walk away as the premiers on Sunday when they play the Newcastle Knights.
But she’s not letting the hype get to her.
“It is just another week really, and that is what we try to remind everyone, nothing changes, it is a massive hype though, sometimes you can’t contain it,” Hale said at a team get-together on Wednesday.
“We had two days off from the win on Sunday and this is the first time we have seen each other since.
“I have missed them that’s for sure, but you can just feel the energy around each other.
“We are all here playing for one another, we want the best for each and every one of us and that is what we are going to done Sunday.”
The Titans take on the Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon in Sydney in the big decider, with Gold Coast looking to end the Knights’ eight game winning streak.
Hale said the build up to the challenge was such an exciting one to be part of.
“Prep as usual, we train hard, same thing, work hard, get connected and just have some fun doing it,” Hale said.
“It was so nice to be in the moment with the team after Sunday’s win, it has been such a long season.
“But it was nice to sit down after that and relax and now be back on the Coast, it is nice to be home.
“Nerves are good, it shows you care about it if they are around and it is just how you handle them when they do eventually kick in.
“Flight will be nice, we are pretty used to flying around now, basically do it every week.
“Everyone has there own little thing that they do, whether it be sudoku, Netflix or whatever it is.”
The grand final will be kick off at 2:55pm at Accor Stadium.
“We will be ready and raring to go, the hotter the better, can’t wait,” Hale said.
“We have faced them a few weeks back and looking forward to get some revenge, looking forward to it. Bring on Sunday.”
From wooden spooners to grand finalists in just 12 months
She is the winner of the ‘Champions of Sport’ category in the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year Awards and has now led the Titans to their first NRLW grand final but how much do we really know about Karyn Murphy?
In sport, her resume speaks for itself, 27 tests for Australia with 13 years as Jillaroos captain.
She has also been the longest-serving head of the NRL’s integrity unit. a position she held before joining the Titans in August of 2022 as their NRLW head coach.
It has been a massive turn around for the Titans who won last year’s wooden spoon.
Murphy said the difference from winning the wooden spoon to becoming grand finalists is credit to the club, players and staff.
“We did a lot of work after the season finished last year and looked at what we wanted and needed for the club to grow,” Murphy said.
“We looked at players we needed but also players who were ready to buy into what we wanted to achieve.
“Not just that but also staff as well, the support and coaching staff have been helping drive the club forward this year.
“And then the leaders of the players, like Georgia Hale stepping up as captain this season has been a massive role model for the younger players and just the whole group really.”
Away from the footy field, Murphy was a distinguished police officer, once named Australian Female Police Investigator of the Year and was appointed a Member of the Australian Order of Australia.
The move to the Titans in 2022, made Murphy only the second female to be head coach of an NRL or NRLW side.
“I definitely feel that working as a police officer and in the integrity unit has helped me as a coach,” Murphy said.
“There were some things last year that I think if I didn’t have that awareness I would have acted differently.
“But I also think it gives me the chance to be a different leader for the players and the coaching staff.
“They both were incredible positions and I loved my time working in those roles, but I do love this role.”
There is also a schoolgirl’s rugby league competition named the Karyn Murphy Cup in Queensland.
The Karyn Murphy Cup has been running for seven years, which offers females across Queensland the opportunity to participate in a local school competition.
Students in year 5/6 participate in a local Karyn Murphy Challenge, students in year 7/8 and 9/10 participate in a local development competition and students in year 11/12 have the opportunity to participate in the statewide Karyn Murphy Cup.
Murphy received the ultimate accolade for her contribution to the game with the player of the NRLW premiership grand final medal to be named in her honour.
“I never thought I would be in the position to potentially be giving my award to one of my players,” Murphy said.
“And I just mean that after last season, I didn’t expect us to be where we are now, success doesn’t just happen over night.
“But it will be such and amazing feeling giving that award to one of the girls on Sunday.
“Let’s hope that I get that opportunity to.”
To top off the season she has had as coach, Murphy is one of the favourites to win the Daily M Coach of the Year award.
It has been a massive year for the Titans who won just one game in 2022, claiming the wooden spoon.
Fast forward 12 months, Murphy and the Titans have won themselves into their first ever grand final.
“I would feel honoured just to even be nominated for that award, I think there are some very good coaches in the league,” Murphy said.
“I wouldn’t be able to take all the credit though, as I said it doesn’t just come from one person.
“It comes from the entire club, the players, coaches, support staff, admin staff and everyone in the organisation to get us where we are today.”
The Titans will take on the Canberra Knights on Sunday October 1 at Accor Stadium in Sydney at 2:55pm.
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