Titans headline massive intake for National Competition as prop looks to make Jillaroos debut
Titans prop Jess Elliston has topped off her incredible year by reaching the next step in her rugby league career.
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Titans prop Jess Elliston has topped off her incredible year by reaching the next step in her rugby league career.
Elliston was one of six Titans superstars named in the Australian Jillaroos squad on Tuesday morning.
Gold Coast coach Karyn Murphy said it was credit to the hard work Jess has been putting in.
“Really happy for Jess, she has been close (so often),” Murphy said.
“She has played for Queensland and has been so close to being able to debut for the Jillaroos.
“So to be able to tell her that this morning that she will be making her debut along with the other girls.
“So proud of Jess and she thoroughly deserves that call up.”
The Titans have the most players named of any club in the Jillaroos, with the Roosters having five representatives.
Titans winger and grand final hat trick legend Jaime Chapman was another named in the Jillaroos squad.
Chapman said it is a pretty good feeling having six girls named together.
“It is all from Loz (Lauren Brown) she is my half back and she is the one that does everything and sets me up,” Chapman said.
“Won’t be having a break just yet but really looking forward to what is next for us.
“A few days off to recover from the grand final and then back into camp with the girls.
“It will be an exciting challenge against New Zealand.”
Joining Elliston and Chapman from the Titans are Shaylee Bent, Lauren Brown, Shannon Mato and Evania Pelite.
Niall William-Guthrie, Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Sienna Lofipo and Malaela Sua have all be selected for Samoa while Dannii Perese has been selected to represent Tonga.
Captain Georgia Hale is a likely chance to be picked for the Kiwi Ferns who do clash with the Jillaroos on Saturday October 14 in Townsville.
“It is the end result to represent your country and the girls took a lot of faith to come here and play in a team that did get the wooden spoon last year,” Murphy said.
“To see six of them get Jillaroos representation and I am sure our captain will get New Zealand when they name their team.
“And we have got the other nations who we have some representations that we know of already in Samoa, Cook Islands and Fiji that will come.
“So our Titans girls, they will be there at the back end of the year which will be great.”
Hale, who led the competition with 501 tackles including 42 in the grand final, said it isn’t something any of her players set out to achieve but it is wonderful to see.
“I don’t think anyone really searches for those higher honours, I think they just come off the back of hard work,” Hale said.
“When you focus on your footy and enjoy your footy, things like that come at the back of the season.
“I think that it is just so nice to see such a mix of our Titans players representing so many nations in Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
“It is a reflection of the season that individuals have had but also that collective of a team that the girls have supported other teammates to reach those higher honours.”
Where you can meet your Titans heroes - and get a free snag
The Titans NRLW grand finalists flew back into the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon, just 24 hours after the club’s first grand final appearance.
Despite not bringing back the premiership this season, the Gold Coast women will get the champions experience with a welcome home party on Tuesday.
Titans fans will get the opportunity to meet and greet the stars of the blue and yellow early Tuesday morning.
The Titans, along with the City of Gold Coast, are encouraging fans to wear their Gold Coast Titans gear and celebrate their season success.
Fans might be lucky enough to grab and autograph or two, plus there is a free sausage sizzle hosted by the Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club and lots of kids footy fun.
Where: Surfers Paradise Foreshore (Under the Surfers Paradise sign)
When: Tuesday October 3, 10am to 11am
Free for all ages.
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Originally published as Titans headline massive intake for National Competition as prop looks to make Jillaroos debut
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