Penitani hoping to cap stellar year with NRLW premiership

Now, just 12 months later, the 23-year-old is shaping up as a potential game breaker for the Dragons in Sunday's NRL Women's grand final.

Penitani's rise to the top of women's rugby league has been rapid, the former rugby sevens star only taking up the sport at the start of the year.

The accolades have flowed freely throughout the year, however, with Penitani claiming player of the tournament honours at the Women's National Championships before starring in NSW's State of Origin victory.

A win on grand final day, Penitani said, would cap a whirlwind 12 months.

"Looking at the game and where it was taking off, the whole idea of playing in the NRLW really enticed me," Penitani said. "I didn't think that I would get the opportunity to play this season, it was more something I was working towards for 2020.

"After everything that's happened this year, it would be the cherry on top to be able to bring home an NRLW premiership. It's something you dream about, especially growing up a young girl in a male dominant sport.

"If you look at the men's NRL, it's the epitome of Australian rugby league. To be able to have that opportunity as a female player is just incredible. It's so exciting for the future generations to be able to aspire to be like us.

"To win an NRLW premiership, that's a thing in 2019. To be able to be a part of that and to etch our name in the history books is just amazing."

Read more: Dragons 2019: Sergis receives Dally M Female Player of the Year medal

Penitani's form has seen her develop a dangerous combination with emerging star Rikeya Horne on the left flank.

The duo are close off the field, with both players speaking highly of the other.

For 20-year-old Horne, having someone who has achieved as much as Penitani alongside her has helped her develop into a much-improved player.

"I love playing off Tiana," Horne said. "She's such an amazing player and I've learnt so much off her.

"Even just her talking to me on the field, I'm very comfortable playing beside her, we have a pretty good combination on the left."

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