Georgia Grey has made a shock code switch, with her standout performances in the Bull Sharks’ 2023 clean sweep capturing the attention of the NRLW’s Gold Coast Titans.
Grey, the daughter of Wallaby Nathan Grey, was one of the stars in a golden era for the Bull Sharks as they won the Australian Club Championship and claimed back-to-back Queensland Premier Rugby and Queensland 7s titles.
So what would prompt someone whose life has been so heavily connected to rugby union - her godfather is Rugby Australia’s CEO Phil Waugh - to sign on to play league?
To answer that it is best to go back to her arrival at Bond University in 2022 to study Sports Management on a sports leadership scholarship.
Grey grew up playing 7s. Her first 15-a-side game was the 2022 Australian Club Championship win against Sydney premiers Gordon.
The 19-year-old has always loved a challenge and is comfortable being thrown in at the deep end.
“The opportunity came up with the Titans and I am someone who loves change,” Grey said.
“Once I finish the NRLW season I will return to the Bond 7s team to play in the Caslick Cup at the end of the year.
“I love playing with Bond and being able to come back to play with the girls will be good. It fits perfectly at the end of the NRLW season.”
Bond’s Director of Sport Mike Collins said Grey’s professional call-up was a testament to the development program at the Bull Sharks.
“At Bond Sport we have an unwavering commitment to helping athletes reach their goals,” he said.
“We provide the coaches and the training that gives athletes every opportunity to excel.
“But the onus is on the athlete to take advantage of that, and Georgia has certainly done that.
“The way she has turned herself into a more complete footballer since arriving as a 7s specialist has been exceptional and we are delighted that all that hard work has paid off.
“We’ll be cheering her on in league and will welcome her back with open arms when their season is over.’’
While switching codes might not be uncommon, signing on with a professional team without ever playing the sport certainly is.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking that I haven’t played my first game of league yet,” Grey said.
“It’s pretty rare that girls who have never played league before get drafted like this.
“It will be a massive year of learning and I am excited to keep growing and learning the rules of the game.”
Grey has completed two weeks of preseason training and is excited about what she can learn over the next five weeks before the season starts.
“They are a great bunch of girls who are really supportive and super knowledgeable, and they are all so welcoming,” she said.
“There are inspirational world-class players in the Titans squad, and I am looking forward to learning more and gaining that confidence in myself to be ready to give it a good crack when I get the opportunity.”
Grey’s main anxiety in switching codes revolves around the technique changes.
To the outside eye league and union look to have similar skill-sets, but to someone who has been chasing around a rugby ball from her very first steps, they are not in the same ballpark.
“The game is very different but has similar elements to it at the same time,” she said.
“It’s just different little things between each code that I will have to adapt to.
“But the more I do it the better I will get and the more natural it will become.
“It will be about doing the extra repetitions before and after training.”
It promises to be a busy winter as she maintains her study schedule to prepare for life after sport.
“It’s really important for people wanting to be successful in sport to have that education,” she said.
“Sport won’t be there forever and so it’s necessary for people like me to have a degree or at least a pathway to fall back onto for when sport is finished.”