Rilee Jorgensen: ‘Living the dream’

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons squad member Rilee Jorgensen lives and breathes rugby league.

Jorgensen has played the game since she was five, grew up idolising now Gold Coast Titans coach Karyn Murphy, Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw and legend of the game Steph Hancock, and has made her way through the pathway at a cracking pace.

The Burleigh Bears’ BMD Premiership weapon – who dons very recognisable pink headgear - played Queensland Under 17 City in 2022 and excelled in the Queensland Under 19 side in 2023, named player of the match for her efforts against New South Wales.

The 18-year-old, who grew up around Ipswich, was also part of the Titans NRLW grand final team that narrowly went down to Newcastle Knights.

“I am living the dream,” Jorgensen, who recently signed with the Titans until the end of 2026, said.

“Had a pretty successful year… within the past 12 months, it has been a big eye-opener of what I can really achieve.”

Jorgensen said pulling on the maroon jersey as part of the Queensland Under 19 side was an incredible experience that left her wanting more.

“It was a whole ‘nother level… a big step up from City v Country,” Jorgensen said.

“It was probably one of the quickest games to this day that I’ve played in.

“I was crapping myself.... I was so nervous before the game. We were sitting around all day waiting… I hate night games because you play the game out 100 times in your head. It gives you a lot of time to think about things and I don’t like that.

“Running out was unreal.”

Jorgensen said being named player of the match was unexpected but “pretty unreal”.

Jorgensen said a lady approached her before it happened to say if she happened to get it, she should go on stage, shake the person’s hand and accept the award with a speech, noting she thought the lady should have been telling the whole team this information for whoever got it.

“I was so confused… I thought she should’ve been telling everyone… I was like ‘why are you telling me this?’” Jorgensen said.

“And then she was like ‘oh, just in case you’re player of the match’. I was like ‘but should you not be telling the whole team this?’ and that’s when I was called up.

“I was like ‘oh my God, what an idiot’. It was me, I was player of the match.”

Jorgensen, who also did motocross growing up and was “part of a pretty footy mad family”, said she absolutely loved the physicality of rugby league and could not imagine doing anything else.

“My team was always the North Queensland Cowboys and my mum and my aunties played, and my dad played,” Jorgensen said.

“I just love it. My younger brother wasn’t really into it though… I had to bribe him so we could play harder or I’d have to let him win.

“I remember of Sundays at half-time I’d make dad come and play footy outside with me.

“State of Origin nights were the only nights we could stay up late. We always went over to someone's house and had just a whole lot of pizza or nibblies or wings. Allowed to stay up way past bed time.

“I loved watching Stephy, Stephy Hancock. I watched her growing up… I have a photo on my phone when the World Cup was at Suncorp eight years ago.

“She’s such a hard player… constantly going and going until the wheels fall off.... I try to do that… just keep going and going.”

Jorgensen said she was grateful Maroons coach Tahnee Norris called her into the squad for 2024.

“All credit to Tahnee for trusting in me and believing in me after just my first full year of footy (at the top level),” Jorgensen said.

“I love hanging out with all the girls. There’s nine of us Titans girls and we’re all pretty close, so it’s good.”

Jorgensen said she hoped to excel in the BMD Premiership season with defending premiers Burleigh Bears to give herself the best shot of playing for Queensland.

“Hopefully get another win with the Bears,” Jorgensen said.

“Hopefully play for Queensland.”

Titans coach Karyn Murphy, when the young gun extended with the Titans, said Jorgensen “has continually taken every opportunity with both hands”.

“From earning a contract after impressing in the Titans Academy to helping Burleigh win the BMD Premiership and finishing her year with a grand final appearance to culminate a strong debut season with the Titans,” Murphy said.

The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons will make history this year when they take on New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in State of Origin Game I.