NRL 2023: Karyn Murphy faces bizarre moment on NRLW Grand Final day
Karyn Murphy is one win away from completing a stunning turnaround for the Titans, but the Dally M Coach of the Year will have to do the unthinkable should her side lose to the Knights on grand final day.
That’s because the player of the match in the NRLW decider is awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal which would mean she’d have to present the award to a Newcastle player just minutes after her side lost.
Knights fullback Tamika Upton is the favourite having won it last year to go with the Dally M she claimed on Wednesday night.
“The great player on my left here won it last year so I know that (it might be weird) but it’s an honour to have that medal for the best player in the grand final which is a massive achievement,” Murphy said at the NRLW Fan Fest on Friday.
“I’d love to have it on a Titans player, but the best player on the ground will deserve that award.”
Sunday’s game at Accor Stadium represents an incredible comeback by the Titans who finished last in 2022 but have surged into the final on the back of their defence which saw them keep the star-studded Roosters scoreless last week.
No Titans team has made a grand final at the senior level until now, with Murphy’s influence on the team a key factor in their meteoric rise.
The Knights went through the same thing last year when they failed to win a game in their inaugural season and then bounced back to lift the trophy.
Gold Coast workhorse Georgia Hale never got to play with Murphy who will go down as one of the most influential figures in Jillaroos history, but the current crop of players have vowed to do it for their coach when they run out on Sunday afternoon.
“I know I can speak on behalf of our playing group just how honoured we are to work under Murph and alongside her,” Hale said.
“The guidance she gives from her footy knowledge but also her having walked in the shoes (is inspiring) so for us to follow in her footsteps (is amazing) because she’s a true trailblazer of the game and we are so fortunate.
“It makes this week so much more special off the back of her award which she was so humble to receive. It adds to the occasion and we’re so ready for Sunday to do it for her.”
Winning the comp won’t be easy against a Knights side looking to defend their title and playing some of the most consistent footy we’ve seen in NRLW history.
They’ve won eight games in a row following an honesty session early in the season, and they’ve had to do it with a massive target on their backs.
“If you win a competition, everyone is coming to get you the year after,” Knights coach Ronald Griffiths said.
“You’re obviously the team that’s finished first and everyone wants to beat you.
“It doesn’t matter where it is because they always present the best version of themselves.
“So for this team to win the minor premiership, it just shows what kind of resolve and grit they have because everyone came to get them every week but they kept turning up and worked hard for each other.”
Winning big games is something Titans fullback Evania Pelite is used to having won gold at the Rio Olympics in rugby sevens.
But an NRLW premiership is all she craves now ahead of a scorching hot showdown that will be played in the sweltering Sydney heat.
“Getting to an NRLW Grand Final has been massive for me but I want to go that one step better and I want to win a premiership ring,” Pelite said.
“That’s the goal for us and we’re not leaving here without it.”
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