Fresh from holding aloft the NSW Women's Premiership trophy, Central Coast captain Isabelle Kelly will now turn her attention to an NRLW campaign with a new club.
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Kelly, the inaugural women's Golden Boot recipient in 2018, has joined the St George Illawarra Dragons for this month's competition and faces former side the Sydney Roosters straight up in Canberra on Saturday.
The recently turned 24-year-old played with the Roosters the previous two seasons but switched to the Dragons at this year's Nines and will be up against several of her teammates from the Central Coast, who won Sunday's state decider at Bankwest Stadium.
"I'm really looking forward to it [NRLW] to be honest," Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"I started training with the Dragons two weeks ago. I'm in new colours and it's really exciting for me. It's a new journey, something fresh and getting out of my comfort zone."
The NSW and Australian representative played fullback for minor premiers Central Coast in a 16-10 victory over the North Sydney Bears and it was the first time she had led a team to grand final glory as skipper.
"It was unreal. It's quite a raw emotional feeling because I've never done that before. I really enjoyed it," she said.
Kelly has now secured back-to-back NSW Women's Premiership titles, having featured for CRL Newcastle last year alongside current Central Coast teammates Hannah Southwell, Melanie Howard, Bobbi Law, Kylie Hilder, Tayla Predebon, Alicia Martin, Olivia Higgins and two-try hero Claire Reed.
"It's really special and this is probably one of my favourite teams to play in," she said.
Kelly said "every single player in our team dug deep, especially when we were fighting back in that last 10 and really showcased what we can do".
She will now become round-one opponent for Roosters-bound NRLW squad members such as player of the year Southwell, player of the final Yasmin Meakes, outside back Brydie Parker and Central Coast halves pairing Howard and Law.
Two-time defending champions the Brisbane Broncos, including Central Coast recruit Jayme Fressard, meet the New Zealand Warriors in Canberra on Saturday.
Rounds two and three are set for October 10 and 17 respectively. The NRLW grand final will be played at ANZ Stadium on October 25. Women's State of Origin follows on the Sunshine Coast on November 13.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
