Georgia Grey made her name on the wing — winning the Titans’ Rookie of the Year honours in her debut season — but it’s in the centres where the Bond University student looks set to take the competition by storm in 2025.
Gold Coast take on North Queensland in the NRLW season opener in Townsville on Saturday – and the Cowboys will be wary of the threat posed by Grey in her new position.
The 20-year-old torched the Cowboys with two tries in their pre-season trial, a performance that guaranteed she would line up in the centres in Round 1.
Strong in the carry, slick in defence, and dangerous in space, she looked every bit the strike centre Titans coach Karyn Murphy believes she can become.
With a full pre-season behind her and growing confidence in the role, Grey is embracing the challenge of playing closer to the action.
“I think I am adapting really well,” she said.
“We have talented players on the inside and outside of me that help me understand the position which is helping me become the best center I can be.
“I love being in the centres and being able to have more opportunity with the ball in both attack and defence.’’
The former rugby star and Bull Sharks 7s and 15s premiership player was electric as the Titans defeated the Cowboys 16-8 in the Brittany Brealey-Nati-Jenni-Sue Hoepper Shield held at Tweed’s Pigabeen Sports Complex last month.
Grey said the win was the result of a big pre-season of work on and off the field.
“We’ve worked really hard throughout the pre-season on our fitness and setting high standards, wanting to be the fittest team in the comp,” Grey said.
“We have all connected as a group and are constantly pushing each other to be better. Having a good culture allows us to be ourselves and grow as people on and off the field.”
“(The win) definitely gives us confidence heading into round one.”
And the coach is certainly happy, with Murphy declaring Grey was thriving in her second season of playing professional rugby league.
“You see some players make that transition and really kick, and some don’t,” Murphy said.
“With Georgia’s skill set and understanding of the game, I knew she had the ability to be successful in league.
“It’s a credit to her-as well as her athleticism, she asks all the right questions and studies the data so is able to pick things up really quickly.”
Murphy also revealed Grey was enjoying the extra responsibility that comes with playing centre.
“Centre is a difficult position to play defensively, but the pre-season reinforced that it is her position,” she said.
“Each session she’s growing more confident in that position and has worked on carrying the ball stronger and all the aspects that are needed.”