She has won back-to-back state titles, multiple Origins for the Blues and Test matches with the Jillaroos, but now Hannah Southwell wants to add an NRLW premiership to her career resume.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cameron Park 21-year-old, who was named NSW Women's Premiership best and fairest last month, will line up at lock for the Sydney Roosters in Sunday's decider against the Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium.
It will be her maiden appearance in an NRLW showdown, having missed the top two with the Roosters last year and the St George Illawarra Dragons during the inaugural 2018 competition.
She knows it would be an emotional moment to hold the trophy aloft, having left soccer, sevens and even cricket behind to pursure her rugby league dream.
"I would probably cry out on the field. It would mean a lot," Southwell told the Newcastle Herald.
"No one really backed us this year, but it's a great bunch of girls and a great club. This would be a way of saying thanks [to the Roosters] for sticking by us."
NRLW had been on the brink of expansion, potentially more rounds and new clubs, in 2020 before the global coronavirus pandemic threatened to derail the lot.
However, following months of uncertainty and logistics to iron out, including COVID-19 quarantine periods for the Broncos and New Zealand Warriors, a four-week season again emerged alongside the men's NRL finals series and culminates this weekend.
"I can't believe it to be honest," Southwell said.
"I was just happy to be playing after everything that happened so I'm pumped to be in a grand final. It's very exciting.
"If we can stick to the game plan like we have all season, hopefully we can get the win."
Fresh from being rested from a dead rubber against Brisbane on Saturday, Southwell says she now feels "ready to go".
"It was a bit weird not being out there, but I was exhausted and needed the break. We hadn't really stopped at all since everything came back [post COVID-19 lockdown]," she said.
"It was also a good chance to sit back and watch from the grandstands. It was a completely different perspective."
NSW Origin camp is set to follow next week ahead of a clash with Queensland on the Sunshine Coast on November 13.
Southwell has relished her chance to play a more "ball playing role" throughout 2020.
"In pre-season a few of the coaches came to me and gave me a bit more responsibility in the middle and I've really enjoyed it," she said.
Southwell will be joined by Central Coast teammates Yasmin Meakes, Brydie Parker, Mel Howard and Jocelyn Kelleher in the Roosters' starting 17 while Bobbi Law is part of the extended squad.
They will face off with Broncos centre Jayme Fressard.
Roosters men's coach Trent Robinson addressed the club's women's squad earlier this week.
As part of the Dally M awards announced on Monday night, Southwell took out the NRLW tackle of the year.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4.05pm.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN OTHER NEWS: