Aaliyah Bula has nothing to prove - not to her husband and fellow Wests Tiger Jahream Bula, nor to her retired footy star father Solomon Haumono.
The dynamic utility is poised to forge her own identity in the NRLW after earning a development contract off the back of an impressive pre-season.
Deployed either as a fullback or five-eighth, Bula crossed to the Tigers after playing for Parramatta last year.
The 20-year-old is not short on sporting pedigree, with family ties running further than her spouse.
Bula's father Haumono played 76 games across two stints for Manly, having come off the bench in the Sea Eagles' 1995 grand final loss to Canterbury.
Haumono also played eight games for Balmain in 1999, the last season before their merger with Wests.
"It's definitely something that I'm still working at - finding my own feet," Bula told AAP.
"I know I have a lot of big names surrounding me, but I just know in my heart that I don't need to prove myself to anyone.
"That's something that I've come to terms with. I don't owe anyone anything. I'm here because of what I can do."
Jahream Bula is pleased to have his wife onside at Concord, but just as pleased she's no longer running out with a bitter Western Sydney rival.
"It's so good not seeing her in Eels colours anymore," Jahream Bula said on Tuesday.
"Not many people get to say they played Indigenous Round with their wife on the big stage, so it's very special."
But being on the same side hasn't helped the Bulas streamline their work expenses.
"We run the M8 every single day, 20 bucks a day. It's insane," Aaliyah Bula said.
"He trains in the morning, and then we start in the afternoon. I'll come in when he's coming home."
As Bula looks to push her case for a senior debut, Brett Kimmorley's Wests Tigers are seeking to pull off a smash-and-grab mission against a formidable Newcastle outfit.
The Tigers are languishing in 11th (0-5) after suffering a 34-4 Magic Round defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
Meanwhile, the Knights are third (4-1) after Jesse Southwell helped power a 18-0 win over Canberra.
"Just during these moments where we haven't got our first win yet, we're still sticking tight," Bula said.
"We're still looking at things we can do better, but we're also understanding that we are a young squad.
"It takes experience to get there eventually, but I feel like we are on the right track."
