Holli Wheeler normally watches the NRL grand final at her parents house, surrounded by family and friends, with the annual Old Bar Beach Festival going in the background.
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But this October long weekend she'll be a little closer to the action at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
The Wallsend-based 29-year-old will line up in the second NRL Women's Premiership decider, playing lock for the St George Illawarra Dragons against defending champions the Brisbane Bronocs on Sunday (4:05pm).
A few others from the coastal town might make the journey down to the state capital as well, supporting the CRL Newcastle, Country, NSW and Australian representative in her first national rugby league decider.
"I haven't been to an NRL grand final before," Wheeler told the Newcastle Herald.
"The Old Bar Festival is on the October long weekend so normally the family comes together and we're sitting at home at mum and dads.
"It feels like there's 30 of us, relatives and mates, crammed around the lounge room watching the footy.
"But as soon as the full-time hooter went on the weekend [after the Dragons last-round win] dad was straight onto my brother about getting tickets.
"It will be pretty special to have my family there and a few others might even come down [from Old Bar].
"I can't wait to get out there."
Wheeler was packing on Thursday, sons Leo and Jake by her side, before heading down to Sydney to finalise preparations for the 2019 showdown.
"I've been fortunate enough to be in a few big games now since I started playing rugby league [in 2017]," Wheeler said.
"Hopefully I can help calm the nerves for a few of our younger girls, who are feeling it for the first time.
"But I'll just be trying to prepare the same way I always do.
"Some people like to relax, but I like staying busy and being around people to help distract myself from the game itself so I don't think about it too much."
Wheeler said she has embraced the challenge of shifting positions this year from second-row to No.13.
"It's definitely been a challenge," she said.
"Second-row has been my bread and butter and I've only ever really filled in in the middle. I want to step up and own it this weekend."
The Dragons finished second on the NRLW ladder after beating the Sydney Roosters 24-16 in the last round. St George lost 14-4 to Brisbane in the season opener.
Meanwhile, Wheeler's teammate Jessica Sergis will take extra confidence into the decider after the Dragons centre received the female Dally M Medal on Wednesday night.
