Sydney Roosters forward Bec Young will be surrounded by familiar faces when she makes her NRL Women's Premiership debut this weekend.
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Golden Boot winner Isabelle Kelly, halfback Mel Howard, second-rower Hannah Southwell and fellow rookie Caitlan Johnston, 20 years Young's junior, are all teammates at 2019 state champions CRL Newcastle.
Coach Rick Stone also crosses over both camps, husband Mick leads the family crew in the stands while daughter Jarrah will be nearby at Melbourne's AAMI Park as a ball girl.
"That's a nice feeling to have all of those familiar faces there, both on and off the field," Young told the Newcastle Herald ahead of Saturday's opening-round clash with the New Zealand Warriors.
"Hopefully we can carry that momentum from this year with CRL Newcastle into the NRLW."
Two-time World Cup champion Young, an Adamstown mother-of-two who turns 38 in December, said she felt "prepared" for her first foray into the second national competition.
"I'm still pinching myself a bit and I'm really excited about getting out there, but I'm also ready to go and feel prepared," she said.
Young will start from the bench next to Belmont-born 18-year-old Johnston, a late call-up to the Roosters' 22-player squad following a recent season-ending knee injury to Amelia Mafi.
"There's 20 years between us, but we'll be next to each other doing the same thing," Young said.
"She [Johnston] has been given the chance and I've got no doubt she'll make the most of it. She's someone I've mentored as she's come through the ranks so it will actually be like a proud mum moment too."
"I've enjoyed the pre-season, professionalism and going that next level," she said.
CRL Newcastle's Bobbi Law is 18th player for the Roosters while Simone Smith dropped off an extended bench on Friday.
Wallsend's Holli Wheeler is lock for the Dragons against Brisbane at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.
