Excitement galore for new recruit Power

It's been a topsy turvy past six months, but no challenge will ever wipe the smile off Shaniah Power's face when it comes to footy.

"As long as I’m enjoying myself, I think I’ll always enjoy football and want to be around it," the 24-year-old said enthusiastically, as one of the Titans' more experienced recruits to join Queensland's newest women's team.

It's been a rollercoaster and a half for the proud North Queensland local recently, packing her life up and moving south to chase her NRLW dream, before the heartbreaking news of the season postponement due to COVID-19 and the subsequent painstaking wait for the new kick-off date.

"There was definitely a lot of ups and downs in terms of emotions and travel," Power said.

"I think we came down here in July and then it got postponed. I decided to stay and work for a bit.

"I went home in December and now they’ve relocated me once again now for the season.

"It's just so exciting to be back with the girls."

Since finishing 2021 on a high as a QRLW semi-finalist with the North Queensland Gold Stars and an Origin winner with Queensland, it's been a relatively quiet six months for the Maroons forward, chomping at the bit to return to pre-season training ahead of a jam-packed season this year.

"[It's been really exciting] seeing all the familiar faces again, but playing football again is probably the main thing," Power said on the first day back of pre-season training.

"I think we all just miss getting around each other which we haven’t been able to do with COVID, so getting together today has been great."

Despite only being quite young herself, Power is considered one of the club's more experienced stars in the new roster, but is keen to learn from the legends alongside her, as well as help mentor the young talents coming through the ranks.

"I’m definitely around that right age where I’m amongst a lot of the greats, but I’m also amongst a lot of the up-and-coming stars like Destiny Brill and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, so it’s very exciting times," Power said.

Making her NRLW debut with the Warriors in 2020, the barnstorming back-rower can't wait for the expanded competition to kick-off, with plenty of new and exciting prospects expected to take centre stage.

"I think the competition is going to be amazing," Power said.

"With the new teams, they’re going to have to bring in a lot of new players, so there’s going to be a lot of new faces and I think they are going to make a huge impact to the competition."

Excited for the big Queensland derby against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 4, the Gold Coast recruit is encouraging everyone to be part of history as the Titans' newest team runs out at home for the first time.