It has been eight months in the making and Jamie Feeney can feel the excitement in the air for the Titans maiden NRLW match.
"I probably didn't feel the excitement until this week, with the launch happening, team list getting put out and then you go wow, this is real, because it has been a long time in the making," Feeney said.
After a number of false starts, Feeney squad will take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 1 of the NRLW Telstra Premiership this Sunday in Newcastle.
Wanting to soak up the moment, Feeney is also mindful of keeping his troops focused in their first game for the Titans.
"The girls have trained very well and they are all very excited and I guess our job now is to just try and stem that excitement and make them use that as energy on the field and to put a good performance in," he said.
"When we go and get on the plane on Saturday and we go into the hotel and we stay overnight and the girls are all around each other and so excited we will have to try and contain that energy by playing music and doing their TikToks.
"Whatever makes them comfortable and relaxed so that they can get up and put their best foot forward at 12pm on Sunday.
Asked if the build up had changed this week, Feeney said it has been business as usual, although they did have a look over the fence at the team the Dragons named.
"It hasn't changed really (the build up this week)," Feeney said.
"Over the last couple of weeks we've been working on our structures and we have had a few opposed sessions to prepare.
"We've actually picked the starting team to match what the Dragons team have put out."
Although the Dragons side wasn't without its surprises for the Titans mentor.
"A couple of surprises for me, including Kezie Apps in the front row, which was a surprise ... but we know they have picked a team that they think we will beat us and we have done the same," Feeney said.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Titans is number 1 Evania Pelite
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan BerryWinger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Titans is number 4 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregorCentre for Titans is number 18 Lauren Dam
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Madison BartlettWinger for Titans is number 5 Jetaya Faifua
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Grace Griffin
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kimiora Breayley-Nati
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Kezie AppsProp for Titans is number 10 Brianna Clark
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Talei Holmes2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Tazmin Gray
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Titans is number 14 Georgia Hale
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy DoddInterchange for Titans is number 13 Destiny Brill
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Kody HouseInterchange for Titans is number 15 Jessika Elliston
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Tegan DymockInterchange for Titans is number 16 Stephanie Hancock
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Janelle WilliamsInterchange for Titans is number 17 Shaniah Power
Reserves
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Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Renee TargettReserve for Titans is number 19 April Ngatupuna
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
"One of the great and exciting matchups will be the two fullbacks (Pelite and Tonegato).
"Two Aussie 7s players who have some, but very limited, rugby league experience and they are both playing in key positions so I am really looking forward to how those two go into battle."
Although he may be trying to keep his team's emotions in check, Feeney says the moment isn't lost on the squad as become the first ever Titans NRLW side.
"It's so exciting, it is historical and the girls really feel that and they understand the privilege they have to be the first Titans NRLW team to take the field and I am sure they will put in a good performance and make our communities will be proud," he said.
