Armed with a can-do attitude and boosted by the belief placed in her by coach Karyn Murphy, Titans youngster Lailani Montgomery has stepped up to the challenge of being a jill-of-all-trades this season.
Currently filling in at fullback for the injured Jaime Chapman, Montgomery is primarily a half, but her first game of the season in Round 3 saw her come off the bench in jersey 14, ready to jump in at any position on the field.
“It's been really exciting to be honest, exciting is the best word to use," Montgomery said.
“With people like Lauren Brown, Pauline (Piliae-Rasabale), Fui (Taliah Fuimaono) in that halves spot, I am only 20 and I'm working my way in, I've got some time in this game.
“Murph has just had so much confidence in me, making me play in different positions, so I am just taking whatever opportunities I can get.
“She has full faith in wherever I go. Having that 14 role was really exciting.
“I got to learn how to play hooker, learn how to go into any backline position.
“I think with my touch background, it was really fun to be able to fill in Chappo's boots, so it's been great.
“Murph's been really awesome, building my confidence, just putting me wherever, that’s why I think she put me in that 14 role because I'm happy to give wherever a crack.
“I said to Murph, ‘wherever you put me in that 17, even if it's prop, I'll give it a crack’.
“I'll throw my body on the line, so if I can get on the field, I'll take whatever position she gives me.”
After playing her part in the Titans downing the Dragons last week, the Indigenous All Stars representative will be aiming to bring that same positive energy to a Sunday night showdown with the Eels in Round 9.
Now in the top six thanks to three wins and a draw, the Gold Coast need to continue winning to maintain their place in finals contention, with Parramatta just one of the teams hot on their heels.
“They are quite similar to us, to be honest, we fell off a few and I'm sure they have too," Montgomery said.
“If we can just complete, get our sets done, do what we know we can, we'll be sweet.
“We have a game plan and if we stick to it, we'll be winning games for sure.
“It's something we take super seriously [playing finals] and the fact that we turn up week-in, week-out, that's why we're playing... but we won't focus (too much) on what's ahead, just take our little steps first.”
Match: Titans v Eels
Round 9 -
home Team
Titans
6th Position
away Team
Eels
9th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
