Central Coast Roosters halfback Mel Howard describes her field goal attempts at training as ordinary.
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It was anything but in the NSW Women's Premiership major semi-final, stepping up when it mattered most to slot home a one pointer in extra time and seal a spot in the 2020 decider next weekend.
Saturday's 13-12 victory over the Cronulla Sharks marked the first occasion Howard had steered a drop kick between the posts during a game.
"I practice them at training and shank them all the time," Howard told the Newcastle Herald.
"I've never kicked one in a game, I've never really needed to. Thankfully the Sharks didn't really react and I had all the time in the world."
The 25-metre effort at Campbelltown Stadium sealed the result with two minutes remaining in the golden-point period.
"I was pretty stoked," Howard said. "I was on a bit of a high afterwards."
Scores were locked at 12-all when full-time siren sounded. Cronulla crossed for a converted try in the closing stages of regular time. It had been a tight encounter.
"It actually felt a bit like a grand final," Howard said.
"A few of the girls actually said that afterwards. It will be interesting if we play them again in a couple of weeks."
Central Coast will meet either the Sharks or North Sydney Bears at Bankwest Stadium on September 27.
Wallsend-based Howard has played the previous two NRLW campaigns. She moved to the Sydney Roosters last year after starting with the Dragons in 2018.
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