It was an impressive first outing for Titans new recruit Evania Pelite, topping the metres gained chart in her first game wearing the No. 1 jersey.
Making her NRLW debut in the centres for the Warriors in 2020, the live-wire has been given the responsibility of calling the shots from the back by coach Jamie Feeney, to which she excelled in her maiden showing; running 172 metres across 14 carries - 48 of those post-contact, breaking the line once and making 104 metres kicking down-field.
The Rugby Sevens-convert really enjoyed her positional-switch in the new colours, but admits the occasion was a little nerve-wracking the lead-up.
Pelite definitely one to watch this season
"I was extremely nervous pre-game but once we got out there, I was pretty confident that all the work we did would pay off," Pelite said.
"[Playing fullback] was good. I had the freedom to roam around a little bit but I'm still learning a little bit, so I can’t wait to train this week and hopefully have a little bit more experience next game."
Narrowly going down to the Dragons after mounting a courageous second half comeback, ball security was the Achilles heel for the newest playing group to wear the blue and gold, only completing 20 from 32 sets; but the fullback said her teammates are putting a firm priority on holding the footy at training this week.
"There’s no team that’s going to win a game of footy with around 60 precent completion rate, so that’s one of our big focuses going into our game against the Roosters," Pelite said.
"I think there wasn’t enough communication out there with us and we probably just pushed some passes that we didn’t really need to. That just comes down to communication.
"This week, we'll be focussing on ourselves a little bit more than trying to worry about what the Roosters are going throw out at us.
"If we can prepare really well this week, we should be all sweet by Sunday."
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Titans
3rd Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
While focussing on this weekend's clash against the Roosters is the Titans' number one priority, the squad also has the thoughts of those affected by the floods at the front of their minds - especially those in Lismore who are experiencing the worst flood ever seen.
"We’re sending lots of thoughts and prayers out to those deeply affected by the floods and hopefully we’ve seen the worst of it," Pelite said.
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