She’s all of 22 and has two National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) premierships under her belt already.

But, Kurri Kurri product Kayla Romaniuk is hungry to add more accolades to her burgeoning resume.

After winning back-to-back titles with the Newcastle Knights in 2022 and 2023, the talented forward remains confident the Hunter club can secure the three-peat this year.

“I’m really excited about the season ahead,” she said.

“The past two have been successful, which is great, but it’s been even better playing for your home region.

“However, we’ve now got to put that behind us and remember it’s a new year.

“We need to enter the NRLW fresh… and virtually start from scratch again.

“Every team has undergone changes during the pre-season, whether it’s players or coaches, so we must stay focussed.

“It’s no secret we’ll be the hunted in 2024.

“But, we’re trying hard not to think about what we’ve done.

“It’s more what we need to do.

“Sure, it would be really special to win three in a row, however getting through the pre-season is the first major goal.

“Obviously, BJ (Ben Jeffries) is on board as head coach.

“So, he’s bringing different training schedules and challenges to the girls, which is really good for us to grow.”

Ron Griffiths guided the Knights from the cellar to the penthouse before moving onto the Newcastle NSW Cup side.

In steps Jeffries, who mentored the North Queensland Cowboys in 2023.

“We were very sad to see Ronnie leave,” Romaniuk said.

“However, they’re both awesome coaches.

“I’m really liking the way we’re training under BJ’s style.

“I believe, moving forward, it’s going to help us in a different way to what Ronnie did.”

Romaniuk, a Bulldogs junior, joined the Knights’ Tarsha Gale Cup team from Kurri Kurri in 2019.

After being named in Newcastle’s 2022 NRLW squad, she wasted no time on the field, earning dual championships.

“The support we receive locally, it’s incredible,” the youngster told the Newcastle Weekly.

“But, I try to get back to Kurri Kurri whenever I can and get involved with the Bulldogs; dad’s always down there.

“I love being part of that community and having the chance to thank them for what they gave me and the different opportunities.

“Being around the younger girls and showing them that there’s a pathway now [to the NRLW) is really cool.

“It would be great to see more follow in my footsteps.

“There’s definitely potential for strong growth in the town.

“Then to see the young boys cheering on our women’s side, that’s awesome as well.

“The people of Kurri Kurri have always been terrific, so I’m hoping to stay at the Knights for as long as I can.”

While Romaniuk’s determined to maintain Newcastle’s winning ways, she also harbours higher rep ambitions.

“Definitely, I think everyone wants to play for their state,” she said.

“It would be awesome to represent NSW but I just love Newcastle so much and playing with these girls.

“I’m still young, so I’m learning off some of the best middles in the game who we have here.

“However, if the opportunity comes (with the Sky Blues), I’ll take it with both hands.

“For now, though, my attention is solely on the Knights and the NRLW competition.”

Newcastle kicks off the 2024 competition with a showdown against the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday 25 July.

Romaniuk would love to see another massive crowd in the stands.

“It was surreal running out to 12,000 fans last year,” she said.

“But, they’re the ones we’re representing… and we want to do them proud.”

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