Sienna Lofipo: 'I'm really grateful to be here'

Sienna Lofipo is grateful to be in the position she’s in this year.

The 18-year-old playmaker helped steer Wynnum Manly Seagulls to the BMD Premiership grand final and picked up a NRLW contract with Gold Coast Titans.

She was named 19th player in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons Game II squad and will go up against New South Wales as part of the Queensland Under 19 team on July 13.

Queensland Under 19 coach Deanna Turner said Lofipo was “a natural leader” with so much potential.

“She’s very calm in everything she does… she wants to get her hands on the ball… that's the type of half that you want,” Turner said.

“You want somebody that wants it in those crucial moments and she's happy to just be that leader out there and call the plays and make those plays happen.”

The 18-year-old, who went to Alexandra Hills State High but moved to Marsden State High for Year 11 and Year 12, said, “I’m really grateful to be here”.

“It was my first year being able to make this side and I'm just super excited to learn everything I can from all the coaches and the girls as well,” Lofipo said.

Lofipo decided to give rugby league a go after watching her little brother and sister Jada play.

“I decided to give it a crack,” she said.

“So, under 12s, I started at Redlands Rugby League Junior Club and then from there, I made the Met East inaugural side and that's basically how it started.

“I just love it. There’s no other feeling like it. I've tried Oztag, touch, netball, but nothing really compares to league. It's just a great sport, really.”

Lofipo said older sister Jada was her inspiration.

“I've not played alongside her for a long time, then with this year in BMD, we finally got our first game together and it was super special,” Lofipo said.

“I've been looking at her, how she plays and like carries herself along her journey and I just, yeah, I've looked up to her for a long time.”

Lofipo said she really enjoyed playing BMD Premiership.

“At the beginning it was more me training with the girls and I was more involved with the Harvey Norman Under 19s squad, but then I sort of progressed with that side and found myself lucky enough to run out there with them,” Lofipo said.

“I was in the grand final team too and that was just awesome. The vibe was awesome. So enjoyable.”

Lofipo said she wanted to continue to grow as a player.

“I just want to soak everything in because there's been so much going on and it's moving like, so quickly. I just don't want to miss anything,” Lofipo said.

“I just want to take everything in, ask all the questions.”

Lofipo, keen to make her NRLW debut with the Titans, said it meant everything to her to don a maroon jersey and she could not wait to do her family and state proud.

“Number one is my family… they love footy, they love their footy in Queensland. I just want to make them proud, but also I want to make myself proud,” Lofipo said.

“I’ll be working hard to step up.”

Lofipo said being named 19th player for women’s State of Origin Game II had lit the fire in her to continue to excel in the game.

“I was speechless,” Lofipo said.

“I was in shock, there were a few tears. I’m just so young. I was so excited.

“I never thought it would happen this early but definitely been working so hard for this. I’m just loving where I’m at.”