It's a case of when, not if Gloucester's Tayla Predebon will gear up for an NRLW campaign.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old is fresh off a grand final win with Central Coast Roosters in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's rugby league premiership.
Now she's ready to take the next step.
"I'm working towards that (NRLW), especially in the past two years where I've been putting it all together," Tayla said.
"Hopefully by the end of next year I'll secure a contract."
Tayla said the women's premiership win "felt amazing". The Roosters held on for a 16-10 win against North Sydney Bears at Bankwest Stadium.
It was a bruising affair at times, especially in the battle of the forwards.
"I've never been so sore after a game of footy," Tayla admitted.
She made several strong carries in the match and was crucial to the side's pack in the absence of fellow prop Caitlan Johnston.
"I was really happy with how I played, it was a really hard game up the middle," Tayla said.
"I had to be up for it, the Bears are a tough side."
Her performance were made sweeter given she was only a handful of games back from an ankle injury, which kept her out of action for a month.
The Roosters got off to a flying start and lead 10-0 after 14 minutes. The Bears scored soon after to remain in the contest.
But Central Coast relied on experience and skill to wrap up the game and secure the premiership.
A key area the Roosters had over the Bears was defensive line speed.
Throughout the game Central Coast was quick off the line to shut down the attack.
"That was one area we focused on at training," she said.
Unlike other sporting codes, the teams weren't forced into a COVID-19 'bubble'.
"We just had to be cautious," Tayla said.
It was essentially back-to-back titles for the side, which was formerly known as CRL Newcastle.
Tayla came off the bench in last year's win against Mounties.
Forster's Kylie Hilder also picked up her second consecutive premiership, in what turned out to be her final game before retirement.
The experience of the dynamic dummy-half was vital to the side's performance. She has now resumed her role as Sydney Roosters NRLW assistant coach.
Tayla explained what made the side, which finished the season undefeated, so special.
"I think it's how close we all are, we're bonding at training and off the field," she said.
She has made herself at home at prop and has no desire to move to an edge.
"I love playing up the middle, I won't be going anywhere too far from that," she said.
Tayla is studying physiotherapy at university and recently started a personal trainer course.
"It was a bit full on leading up to the finals," she conceded.
Many of her Central Coast teammates will feature in the 2020 NRLW season, which started last Saturday in line with the NRL finals.
"I'm definitely keeping an eye on it, I want to support all the girls," she said.