EXCLUSIVE: Heartfelt Motivation Behind NRLW Star’s Try Celebrations This Month Following a ‘Pretty Confronting’ Health Scare

Just hours into the first day of camp for the NSW Blues in preparation for the State of Origin series opener, Emma Verran (formerly Tonegato) received an unexpected call from a doctor that left her feeling “shaken.”

At the age of 30, Verran learned that a melanoma had been detected on her back.

The star of the Cronulla Sharks had undergone a community skin screening during a Kiama OzTag event in March, where a nurse urged her to get a mole checked out promptly.

A consultation with a skin specialist led to the immediate removal of the mole, which was then sent for testing. Six weeks later, the results confirmed it was a melanoma.

“Honestly, I kind of put it out of my mind,” Verran shared with Wide World of Sports.

“When I received that call on the first day of Origin camp, I was a bit rattled because I wasn’t really sure what it meant for me.

“Being diagnosed at 30 is quite confronting.”

Although eager to focus on her performance in the Origin arena, Verran admitted she was hesitant to undergo any urgent medical procedures, despite doctors’ recommendations.

A visit to a plastic surgeon that same week resulted in her being scheduled for surgery immediately following the series.

“The doctor was quite urgent about me returning to have more skin removed,” she recounted. “I went in and had a wide excision done.”

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Upon the surgery, Verran took to social media to encourage others to “get your skin checked,” in light of her own diagnosis.

When questioned about whether her perspective on sun protection had changed post-operation, Verran responded, “Absolutely.”

“I was always cautious in the sun, but now it feels a lot more serious,” she elaborated.

“I never go without my hat and SPF on, and I make an effort to cover up. I urge everyone I know to take it seriously,” she added.

While her health challenges have changed her approach to sun safety prior to taking the field, Verran’s determination for game day remains steadfast.

After experiencing defeat in last year’s NRLW grand final, her team is eager to start the 2025 season with a strong performance.

“We are still haunted by that sour taste from the grand final loss, but this is a new year with a new team,” Verran noted.

“We’ve had some changes—while we’ve lost a few players, we’ve also gained some incredible new talent.

“I’ve been encouraging all the Sharks girls to support Try July, and we’re working on our try celebrations,” she added.

“During our captain’s run on Wednesday, we’ll definitely go through a few more and ensure we’re ready.”

“We can’t wait to get round one underway and deliver a strong performance.”

For every try celebration in the NRL and NRLW throughout July, Sportsbet will donate $5000.

Since its launch in 2020, over $1.4 million has been raised, with the player hardship fund and the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation being the selected charities for 2025.