Hannah Southwell loves the freedom.
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The Cameron Park 20-year-old, who was on Thursday afternoon announced in the Roosters squad for the NRL Women's Premiership this season, will play lock for NSW in the 2019 women's Origin clash against Queensland at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
Southwell's positional shift with the Blues, from her regular roles at second-row or centre, is one the rugby league convert is relishing.
"I've got a lot more space and a lot more freedom," Southwell told the Newcastle Herald after Thursday morning's captain's run in the state capital.
"I've mainly played second-row or centre, but I feel very comfortable at lock.
"I like being involved in broken play and putting a few big hits on."
The former Newcastle Jets soccer goalkeeper and Australian rugby sevens representative will wear the No.13 for NSW after debuting off the bench in the corresponding match last year.
Following on from her first-up experience, Southwell feels "trust" will be crucial for the Blues to beat the Maroons and retain the Nellie Doherty Cup.
"Trust in each other is so important," she said.
"When we've got the ball and when we haven't got the ball."
Southwell reckons NSW will have to improve on last year's showing, which produced a 16-10 victory at the same venue, in order to get the job done this time around.
"Last year we played pretty well, but we will have to be even better again," she said.
"Both as a team and as individuals, we need to step up. Our captain's run was really good today and everyone is ready to go."
The Jillaroos representative will be joined in NSW colours by three of her CRL Newcastle clubmates - centre Isabelle Kelly, dummy-half Kylie Hilder and substitute Holli Wheeler.
"They are always a fun bunch to play with and we're all well connected," Southwell said.
"Last year Izzy [Kelly] was playing on the centre to me when I made my debut for the Jillaroos and she was yelling out to me on the field.
"It's good to have that kind of backing out there."
CRL Newcastle coach Rick Stone feels like all four of his players have the potential to make an impact at Origin level.
"All of those girls are good players and they can all have an impact for the Blues at some stage on Friday night," he said.
Meanwhile, Southwell said she was "excited" about this year's NRL Women's Premiership as she moves from the St George Illawarra Dragons to the Sydney Roosters.
She and Merewether's Mel Howard have both made the same club change. They join Kelly at the tri-colours in 2019.
Hilder, who played with the Roosters in last year's inaugural competition, is set to retire.
