Coasting along: Local Levi loving new role in rugby league

Speaking after her signing about her desire to represent her home city and to honour the rugby league in her DNA with her father Jason Levi having played for Manly, Levi said it was “such a surreal feeling” to be experiencing.

“I think every time I get to pull on this Gold Coast jersey; it just represents my family and how hard I've worked to actually get here,” Levi said.

“I did all the hard work before I came across to make it so seamless, but I'm pretty lucky that I get to play in front of my family and friends who have supported me through thick and thin and have been there the whole way.

“It's been really nice to give back to them and show them that their hard work for me hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Making her mark in the halves, Levi said she was enjoying partnering with Lauren Brown, another multi-talented athlete who also played rugby sevens and soccer before establishing herself as one of the premier players in the NRLW.

“We call her the ‘ice woman’, so it's incredible being able to learn off her," Levi said. 

“She's one of the best sevens in the game.

“I'm really excited to keep the journey of us two going.

“We love connecting out on that field and I think it makes a big impact when we get to.

“I've just been picking her brain and being a big sponge to her and I hope I complement her as much as she complements me.”

After achieving a club record seven wins following their thrilling 28-20 derby win over Brisbane, Levi and the Titans were eyeing their next challenge, another top-of-the-table clash – this time against the Raiders.

After pushing the Roosters all the way and only missing out on the upset with some wayward goal kicking, as well as stunning the Broncos with 28-4 win, the Raiders are set to provide a big test. The visitors also have a number of former Burleigh players including the Temara sisters Zahara and Chante and Sophie Holyman looking to impress in front of family and friends.

“We've got the Raiders next week, which is going to be massive, but I think we've just got to practice our process and keep enjoying each game," Levi said.

“(Making) club history is pretty exciting, but, as exciting as it is, I think we just still need to focus on game-by-game.

“It's very easy to lose a game, it shows if one team shows up and the other team doesn't … then it's very easy to just give that one away.

“We have just got to make sure that we stick to our process and the basics, but also, the little wins, make sure that we celebrate those, because we are history makers, which is pretty amazing.

“It's such a quick turnaround and I know I keep harping on about the process, but if we just focus on our team and make sure that we do the little things right and keep doing the little basics, then that gives us the opportunity to play footy and the style of footy that we like to play.

“I think we just need to keep sticking to our process, believing in it and buying into it and let the footy do the work, it's really exciting.”

Levi has been such a revelation in her first season of rugby league that many fans are curious to know if her stint could extend post-season into a potential Rugby League World Cup campaign with the Jillaroos.

While not ruling anything in or anything out – fans will have to watch this space with plenty of games, including a finals series to come.

“I've had quite a lot of questions, and I give the same answer every time," Levi said. 

“Once I get there and if that opportunity opens, then I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

“Right now, I just want to keep playing good footy for the Titans, keep putting my best foot forward and making sure that they are comfortable with me.

“As I said, just want to play good footy and if that bridge opens, then that's what my managers are for and we can cross that bridge when we get there.”

The Jillaroos will open their Rugby League World Cup campaign with a match-up against Fetu Samoa at CommBank Stadium on October 17.