NRLW barnstormer Jessika Elliston has been lucky enough to already taste finals success with the Broncos, but feels it's completely different wearing Titans colours this time round.
Only playing one game for Brisbane in 2019 before winning the title with the established three-time premiers in 2020, playing every game and being part of the rollercoaster journey in the Gold Coast's maiden season is why 24-year-old says it's a completely different feeling this time around.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Semi Final -
home Team
Dragons
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
3rd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
"It was definitely awesome with the Broncs and everything, but they already had their foundation team, so going into the finals with them, we were all confident because we knew we've been in that position before," Elliston said.
"With the Titans, it's going to be different because we've started from the bottom.
"We're always the underdogs and to actually be in the finals with such a great bunch of girls means the world."
Adopting a new role with the change of colours, Elliston has joined the front rowers' union, playing in the middle third off the bench each week. Continuing to develop in the new role each week, she finished the regular season with a player of the match performance against the Knights - scoring a try and making 169 metres from 20 runs.
"I think [my performance] has a lot to do with the girls I'm playing with and gaining confidence," Elliston said.
"Being in the middle is a new position for me, so I think each week, I have just been trying to improve like my stats like running metres and just trying to improve with as much feedback as I can.
"The girls have definitely helped my confidence on the field and really helped me transition because it's a lot more physical and I need to run into contact a lot more.
"When in the second row, I'm running off my half, trying to hit angles, lines and so forth.
"With the front row, you're just trying to find your front and make metres.
"I definitely don't want to go out on the edge again. I love the middle, so I'll do everything I can to stay there."
Elliston scores great try
Ready to take on the Dragons, the experienced forward is looking forward to improving on their Round 1 encounter against St George to get the win and progress through to the NRLW decider to be played at Redcliffe.
"I think we're all pretty disappointed by our first game against the Dragons. I think it was a game that we could have actually won," Elliston said.
"From there, we've definitely improved. We've still got a couple of areas [to work on], but I definitely think that this week, we've concentrated hard to hopefully get the win.
"The Dragons have also really connected as a team and you can see that.
"I think they were also a bit of an underdog team too, so it will be really good to play them."
The Tweed Heads local also knows how much a grand final berth will mean to the Titans club and greater Gold Coast community.
"I think it would mean a lot to the club and it'd be awesome for us to win for the club," Elliston said.
"They've been nothing but positive and always encouraging us. It's just the little things like [Titans CEO Steve Mitchell] coming to every single one of our games.
"I think that's the only way that we can show how much it means to us is by winning that final.
"Also, the chance to play in Queensland for the final would be a really awesome experience."
The Titans face off against the Dragons at 12pm on Sunday, April 3 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.
