Taking baby steps towards a full return to league, Evania Isa’ako (née Pelite) has hinted her desire to be back in the Origin arena as part of her comeback trail.
Lacing up her boots for the first time since giving birth to her first daughter exactly three months ago, the new mum is eager to be back in action for Gold Coast in 2026 after missing the entirety of last season due to pregnancy, kicking off preparations alongside the rest of the NRLW squad on Saturday.
But with jubilation came emotion for the 30-year-old, feeling the bittersweet tug of leaving young Letti at home to be back with her Titans teammates.
"I didn't know how I was going to feel but to be honest, I was really sad in the morning," Isa'ako admitted to titans.com.au.
"I was just sad to leave her.
"Walking back into Parkwood, it definitely felt strange but as soon I was reunited with the team and heard from Murph about the 2026 season, I knew I really wanted to be back here and back playing.
"I know it's going to be physically hard - pre-season is hard enough as it is when you haven't had a baby - so I know this will be tough.
"But mentally, I think that’ll be the toughest part - leaving her."
After being away from the field for 12 months to grow her family with husband Thomas, the 2024 Titans Player of the Year has welcomed the chance to let sport take a backseat and fully savour life's special moments.
"It sounds sad to say but when I had the year off, I didn't miss playing," Isa'ako said.
"I think for a long time I've always had to put sport at the front of my mind but last year having the time off during my pregnancy, it was the first time I didn't miss any special celebrations or milestones.
"So coming back, I have to get back into that mentality of there's going to be so many moments I'm going to miss and that'll be really hard.
"Especially with Letti in her first year of life, I have to mentally prepare for that because I obviously want to come back and play."
Also on the agenda for the Titans No. 1 is representing Queensland again - playing a series-defining role in the 2024 series decider to help the Maroons clinch the shield.
With Game III scheduled at Cbus Super Stadium in late May, Isa’ako has already made her intentions clear to Maroons head coach Nathan Cross by putting her hand up for selection should she be fit and ready in time.
"Funnily enough, when I was doing the math in my head of when she was due to be born, Origin just didn't seem like it was on the radar," she said.
"But when I saw there was a game at Brisbane and at Cbus, I looked at Thomas and said I really want to play now.
"I've had conversations with Crossy and put my hand up for it.
"If I'm fit, ready and ticked all the boxes come Origin, then I'd love to be at the forefront of his mind for selections but if I don't get there, then there's no pressure."
The triple international and dual Olympian, whose feats include winning a gold medal with the Australian Rugby 7s team at the 2016 Rio Games, made the decision to fulfil a long-held ambition to represent her Samoan heritage in the 2024 Pacific Bowl, having previously won a World Cup with the Jillaroos in 2022.
Alongside Titans teammates Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga and Laikha Clarke, Isa'ako helped Fetu Samoa claim a spot at the 2026 World Cup and earn a Pacific Championships promotion.
Watching the 2025 Pacific Championships from the sidelines, the former Samoan vice-captain took pride in her side’s efforts, highlighting the value of facing top-tier opposition as crucial preparation for the World Cup, where Samoa will open its campaign against the all-conquering Australian Jillaroos.
"It was so cool seeing Samoa elevated into the Pac Champs and that first game against New Zealand showed how far the country has come in the span of 12 months," said Isa'ako.
"That specific game was encouraging for the girls to know where we stand in terms of the top tier teams.
"The match against the Jillaroos was obviously tough to watch but we'd battled a few injuries and lost a few girls during the game, so I think overall it was good for them to see what levels we have to go up over the next 12 months to compete with the reigning champs."
For Isa’ako, the sight of seven Gold Coast teammates lining up for Fetu Samoa at the recent Pacific Championships was a powerful reminder of the culture fostered here at the Titans.
"I think it goes to show how great we have it here at the club.
"We have such a diverse group of girls and obviously our culture is highly celebrated within the club, so it's cool the girls get to embrace their heritage here with the Titans.
"Obviously a lot of us are dual athletes with the option to play for other countries, so for the girls to pick Samoa it's really special and I know their families are proud.
"2024 was my first year playing for Samoa and I'd always wanted to do that, so even just looking back in the last 24 months, everything in my life has happened naturally.
"Things have just fallen into place at the right time.
"The last few years I've just had myself to focus on and I'm lucky to have had a really long career where I've always just wanted to be the best player no matter what team I'm in.
"It's nice now to have a different purpose and play for her and my little family.
"It definitely does shift your purpose and your motivation, so I'm looking forward to see what this year looks like on and off the field."
