After a breakthrough season which has seen claim her second Titans NRLW Player of the Year award, prop Jessika Elliston is hoping a Jillaroos call-up is in her future.
The 18th player for both last year’s Pacific Championships final win over New Zealand and this year’s dominant victory over England in Las Vegas, Elliston is hoping her form this year will see her move into the 17.
While the Jillaroos boast enviable forward stocks, with both starting props in Shannon Mato and Millie Elliott sidelined as they grow their families, the opportunity is there for Elliston to push her case to be part of Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner’s line-up.
“Oh, I’d love to,” Elliston said.
“To put on that jersey is huge; representing Australia is absolutely huge.
“It would definitely be a goal of mine, to be able to put that jersey back on.”
Jess Elliston representing the Jillaroos in the 2023 Pacific Championships.
©Anthony Kourembanas / NRL Images
The Jillaroos kick off their Pacific Championships campaign later next month, playing their first match as part of a massive double header at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 against Fetu Samoa. The match after women’s game will see Samoa take on Tonga.
While Elliston, who also took out players’ players honours at the Gold Coast’s club awards, has one eye on being selected in the Jillaroos squad next month, her first priority is playing finals football this weekend.
The Titans left it late to seal their spot in post-season football, with Lauren Brown’s extra time field goal against the Raiders securing a 17-16 win and the top six spot.
Now however, they have to overcome the Knights, a team they have struggled to beat, winning only one of their past seven encounters. The most recent loss was their Round 10 thriller where they went down 28-22 in the 69th minute, while their most heartbreaking was the 2023 grand final.
“Definitely, I feel like it’s time for us to get them back little bit for the grand final … credit to them, they’re an awesome team, so going down in the grand final, they were the better team, but it’s always chasing that game back,” Elliston said.
“Hopefully this weekend, we get to stick to them.”
Titans players Jess Elliston, Georgia Hale and Niall Williams-Guthrie and crew.
©Scott Davis / NRL Images
As well as playing to stay in the hunt to return to the grand final arena, two Titans are playing in milestone matches, with second rower Jasmine Solia playing in her 25th NRLW match, while skipper Georgia Hale – who is Elliston’s room mate on away games – will play her 50th, becoming the first New Zealand player to reach the milestone.
“I am so excited. I’m so proud of Georgia,” Elliston said.
“She is what I would say, is a pioneer of this game.
“I’ve never met someone so hardworking and talented and just caring.
“As a captain, you want to work for her and what she’s done for the game, and not only for me.
“Just who she is; she’s one in a million.
“I could just ramble on about her, honestly, I’m so proud that she’s hitting that 50 games and really happy for her.
“I’m so excited for her.”