Until then, they'll have to settle for the next-best thing, which is winning the NSWRL women's premiership by beating minor premiers Mounties in Saturday's grand final at ANZ Stadium.

CRL Newcastle's qualification for the decider, and the presence in their line-up of Jillaroos representatives Isabelle Kelly, Hannah Southwell, Holli Wheeler and Bec Young, would suggest there is more than enough talent to be competitive if and when the NRL decides to expand its four-team competition.

"I think it will happen," Stone said. "I think it will be an evolution.

"The NRL were pretty careful when they started off the women's NRL last year, about not diluting the product.

"They want to expand it gradually, but Newcastle has always been a good footy area, regardless of whether it men playing or women.

"I think in a couple of years that there will be more teams, and more rounds, and Newcastle will probably be part of it then."

Stone, the former head coach of Newcastle's NRL team and Huddersfield in Super League, said it had been a refreshing change to become involved in the women's game. As well as coaching Newcastle's NSWRL outfit, he will be at the helm of the Roosters when the WNRL season kicks off.

"It has been an eye-opener," he said. "Everything from pregnancy to shift work and travelling with kids.

"But it's been interesting in that most of them come from other sports, and they really have a passion and a commitment to learn, so I've really enjoyed that.

"It's definitely grown on me. They're a really good bunch of girls, they've worked really hard and hopefully they get some rewards on the weekend."

CRL Newcastle won eight of their 10 regular-season game and have since knocked out St Marys (28-10) and Cronulla (16-12) in the finals. In their only clash with Mounties this season, the Novocastrians were pipped 18-16 in round three but hope to exact revenge in the title decider.

The grand final kicks off at 5.10pm as the curtain-raiser to the NRL match between Canterburyand Wests Tigers.