Gold Coast young gun Kolc hooked on learning the ropes

Thrown “into the deep end” in just her second game of NRLW; Titans youngster Lily Kolc credits the guidance of the more experience in the team to help her through a tough match.

With starting hooker Brittany Breayley-Nati coming off much sooner than planned with a wrist injury against Wests Tigers, Kolc came on to finish the game with 44 minutes, playing her role as the Titans posting back-to-back wins to start the season.

“I got chucked in the deep end a little bit second game in, Britto got injured, but it was good out there," Kolc said. 

“We let them get a bit of a quick-play-the-ball, a quick roll on through the middle, but we stopped that through the second half, and I think we really slowed them down.

"All the girls got around us and we got the job done.

“I think just having such a good support system behind our team and having such a good camaraderie; the girls just really support me and I trust them and I think G (captain Georgia Hale) is a big part of that.

“Her calls are so clear and she's so calm, so it makes my job a lot easier.”

Making her debut in Round 1 after impressing with a strong season playing in the BMD Premiership for Tweed Seagulls after coming through the statewide ranks with the Burleigh Bears, Kolc has been part of the Titans system for the past three years, developing under coach Karyn Murphy.

“This is my third year with the team and third year under Murph; it's been good," Kolc said. 

“I've just been in the back, learning off Britto and just holding my time really, developing my game before getting the chance to play this year.

“(Murphy's) support and her backing me this year has really helped."

Kolc, whose grandfather John Kolc played for Parramatta, said she was also learning the tricks of the trade of the hooking role from Breayley-Nati.

“(Where Breayley-Nati has helped); a lot of it is confidence and just knowing when to run, the calls and stuff, she really helps me be more decisive in my role," Kolc said. 

“(I watch) how she manages her game and I am just learning off everyone and getting bits and pieces from everyone and learning how I can control the game in my own way.”

Selected again to come from the bench this weekend against the Broncos at Totally Workwear Stadium, with Breayley-Nati expected to be fully fit; Kolc was looking forward to being part of a local derby.

“It's always a good vibe coming up against them, it is always a bit of a rivalry between us," Kolc said. 

“I'm sure it'll be a good vibe around the club this week and we'll be getting up for a big one against them up in Brisbane. I can't wait.”