All Hale Georgia as milestone met in record-breaking season

Hale become the most capped Titans player in the win, featuring in her 50th match for the club, in what was her 59 NRLW game overall including her time with the Warriors.

Speaking post-match about the monumental moment, Hale stayed humble, noting that it was ‘supposed to be’ team mate Jessika Elliston who would beat her to the club title. Elliston suffered a season ending knee injury in Round 1.

“Jessika Elliston was actually meant to beat me to it,” Elliston said.

“I had her in the back of my mind today as I went out to mark that milestone and occasion.

“I'll be way more excited for when she marks it that's for sure.

“This club means heaps to me. I absolutely love putting on this jersey week-in-week-out.

“I love playing with the girls and being guided by Murph [Karyn Murphy].

“It's every week that feels exciting to me, regardless of the milestone today.

“When I first came to the club when it was in its infancy and we were just building and I was alongside Jess [Elliston], Varns [Evania Isa’ako], and Lakes [Laikha Clarke] and it's really nice that they're still here with me.

“We've welcomed in heaps of new sisters over the course of the last six seasons.”

Reflecting on her time at the Titans, Hale acknowledged the growth not just within the NRLW itself as a game, but also within the club.

“The games change heaps,” Hale said.

“I think it's evolved and I'm proud of the club for evolving with it.

“I think as soon as Murph came in, she really hit the ground running and she's brought in a calibre of staff that tests us and that challenge us and are driving professional standards within the four walls.

“We also look to our owner (and) our major sponsor and they do that too in a very different way, but in the role that they play being amongst our teams.

“So there's just a great feeling for wanting to turn up for the good people that surround us and support us.”

This season, the Titans have proven themselves to be real premiership contenders, having most recently defeated Canberra 26-20.

Currently sitting second on the ladder, Hale believed the culture and belief that the squad held in each other has helped bring them success this season.

There has also been strong leadership and support within the playing group, which she believes to be a key factor.

“It’s that real encouragement and belief in our sisters, it’s standing up and having a voice and knowing that we completely back you by and support you,” Hale told NRL.com.

“We are a team full of leaders, which I'm really proud of.

“I feel we empower each other to step up through … maybe it's a bit of maturity or it's game experience and game awareness, or it could be youth and culture and connection, which is great.

“But one girl in particular (who is a leader) would be Laikha Clarke, she's been in the system now for as long as I have been.

“I think just seeing her emerge into that role too, she's learnt so much in the years that she's been playing and she's becoming an alpha in our team through what we're seeing week-in, week-out with what she's putting on the field.

“She's pulling girls with her and taking them under her wing, which is the traits of a great leader.”

The Titans will travel down to play the Wests Tigers on Sunday in a match that Hale is convinced won’t be easy.

However, she is determined to keep the focus on themselves for the final two fixtures.

“I like the systems and the way that they're playing, which again will test us and challenge us going into that round,” Hale said.

“But (we are) keeping the focus internal.

“I think what we can control is bringing physicality through our middle, we've got a spine that are spotting opportunities and are so threatening and then a back five that really can get us out of trouble.

“So, it's really piecing together all of that, focusing on what we can control and then just going up against a really quality side.”

Although her focus is on winning a maiden premiership, the Kiwi Ferns star is buzzing at the opportunity to bring her squad to play at her ‘home away from home’ during the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

The New Zealand sides will play a number of games on the Gold Coast during the tournament. 

“I think it's just really exciting that the Kiwi Ferns squad have the opportunity to be here at Cbus Stadium, which is really nice that it's now my second home,” Hale said.

“But it's a big year and what I'm loving seeing at the moment is a spread of Kiwi girls across the competition all playing amazing footy.

“I know the selectors are going to have a big job on their hands to put a team together.

“But, I just love seeing rugby league on a big stage and especially the opportunity to potentially represent New Zealand again.”