Hannah Southwell started the year back in her first love of rugby league just hoping to play well for Newcastle and enjoy competing again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The ambitious Cameron Park teenager, though, was always eyeing an Australian jersey in a third sport, possibly in 2019.
However, Southwell has made a habit of reaching her goals ahead of schedule.
The 19-year-old was named on Monday in the Jillaroos squad to play New Zealand on October 13 in Auckland. Last week she was shocked to receive a call-up to the PM’s XIII side to take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby this Saturday.
It comes after a season where Southwell played for the CRL Newcastle side, the NSW Origin team and in the inaugural NRL Women’s competition with the Dragons.
“I wasn't thinking I was going to be picked at all,” Southwell said of Australian selection.
“It was always a goal, but I just didn't think it would happen this quickly. I'm really honoured to make this team. It's crazy, the way it's all panned out.
“I wasn't expecting anything from this year at all. I was just hoping to play some good footy for Newcastle and it all took off from there.
“It's been a great year. I just wanted to enjoy myself, I wasn't enjoying myself last year [in rugby sevens], and that was the goal this year.
“I was going to reassess it next year and see what I wanted to do in the sport. But once again, it didn't go to plan, which is fine with me.”
The selections cap a remarkable rise for the multi-sport wonder, who was a goalkeeper for the Young Matildas and Newcastle Jets W-League side and played for the Australian Rugby Sevens senior team before coming back to league. She played the game at club side Kotara until reaching the age limit of 12 to compete against boys.
“It was an honour to do it in the other sports I've played and I'm just really looking forward to this one,” she said of playing for Australia.
“I've got a few years of experience with the other sports, hopefully I can do well with this one.”
CRL Newcastle teammates Holli Wheeler and Isabelle Kelly also made the Test side to play New Zealand.
Jillaroos squad:
Kezie Apps St George Illawarra Dragons
Chelsea Baker Brisbane Broncos
Heather Ballinger Brisbane Broncos
Annette Brander St George Illawarra Dragons
Brittany Breayley Brisbane Broncos
Samantha Bremner (Captain) St George Illawarra Dragons
Ali Brigginshaw Brisbane Broncos
Keeley Davis St George Illawarra Dragons
Tazmin Gray Sydney Roosters
Steph Hancock Brisbane Broncos
Isabelle Kelly Sydney Roosters
Julia Robinson Brisbane Broncos
Jess Sergis St George Illawarra Dragons
Hannah Southwell St George Illawarra Dragons
Simaima Taufa Sydney Roosters
Zahara Temara Sydney Roosters
Eliana Walton Sydney Roosters
Holli Wheeler St George Illawarra Dragons
Coach: Brad Donald
The Jillaroos will play alongside the Kangaroos and Junior Kangaroos, in a triple-header against Kiwi teams at Mount Smart Stadium.
