Gold Coast Titans coach is focused on one thing and one thing only as finals week one begins

Gold Coast Titans women head coach Karyn Murphy is waiving away calls for her to be named rugby league’s first female Immortal as she focuses on her team’s bid to make finals.

Gold Coast Titans women head coach Karyn Murphy is waiving away calls for her to be named rugby league’s first female Immortal as she focuses on her team’s bid to make finals.

It comes after the female rugby league trailblazer received the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year ‘Champion of Sport’ title at last Saturday’s glitzy awards ceremony at The Star Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell accepted the award on her behalf, using his acceptance speech to advocate for Murphy to become rugby league’s first female ­immortal.

“It was a lovely surprise to first be nominated and then to win the award on the night,” Murphy later said.

Titans NRLW coach Karyn Murphy ready for the finals. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It was a big surprise and something that was really humbling for me to be recognised in that way.”

In his acceptance speech, Mitchell said it was time the game gained its first female Immortal.

He said of the former longtime Australian captain who established the NRL Integrity Unit and now Gold Coast Titans head coach and director of female rugby league: “We have 13 immortals in the game and they are extraordinary people – they’re all men. It’s time we had a female immortal.”

But the award, Mitchell’s call and the Titans club awards on Wednesday has not taken the NRLW finals prize from Murphy’s eyes. She remains focused on that ahead of their preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a good reward for the girls to be celebrated, but it’s been business as usual this week,” she said.

Murphy said the words from Mitchell were kind but unexpected.

“I hadn’t spoken to him about that so it was a surprise,” she said.

“I’ve heard a lot of positive comments this week and it’s really nice that there’s a push to have that happen,” she said.

Insisting she was honoured to be mentioned, Murphy tried to point the limelight elsewhere.

“There are plenty of women out there who deserve it,” she said.

“I hope at some point that there are women recognised in that capacity.”

Murphy said women’s rugby league had grown to great lengths in recent years, with respect to players, female referees, women in administration and those in coaching roles.

“To have that conversation … it’s great for women in this space,” she said.

“It would be a nice award to have.”

In line with celebrations, the Titans NRLW side congratulated a number of its own on Wednesday night at the Paul Broughton Medal night.

Forward star Shannon Mato was named NRLW Player of the Year, Georgia Hale the Coaches MVP and Evania Pelite the Members’ MVP while young five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu received the Rookie of the Year award.