FROM the devastation of losing a grand final to the jubilation of a State of Origin triumph.
That's the plan for Newcastle's Hannah Southwell, who hopes to end a roller-coaster ride of a season on a high note.
The multi-talented 21-year-old from Cameron Park suffered a rare disappointment last weekend when Sydney Roosters were beaten 20-10 by Brisbane in the NRLW decider.
More from the NRWL: Coaches push for 2021 expansion
The full-time siren had barely sounded when Southwell learned she had been voted the NRLW player of the season, awarded on the basis of three-two-one votes by her fellow Rugby League Professionals Association players.
"[Rosters general manager of football] Craig Walker came up to me and said I'd won the RLPA player of the year award and congratulated me," she said.
"It's an awesome honour, especially coming from the players. I certainly wasn't expecting it at all.
"But I don't think anything could take away from the pain of losing the grand final. I really wanted to win, as did all the girls, but we just didn't perform on the day.
"I'd say the only way to take away that pain will be to win the grand final next year."
Beating the Queenslanders at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday fortnight will have to suffice for the meantime.
It will be Southwell's third taste of Origin and she will be intent on extending her unbeaten record.
"It's great that the NRL are putting on an Origin match, especially when it looked like we might not be playing any footy this year," she said. "To be able to play for my state - especially in front of a Queensland crowd, which I've never done before - it's going to be pretty intense and a great challenge."
Southwell, who has worn the green and gold of the Jillaroos, as well as representing Australia at both under-20s soccer and Sevens rugby union, said that "unless you've played Origin, you just can't explain it".
"For me, my two Origins have been the biggest, loudest games I've played in," she said.
"I love it. I've never experienced anything like Origin. The atmosphere and getting yourself up for the games, it's just incredible and I love every minute of it."
Despite her tender age, Southwell will be one of the more experienced members of a NSW squad that could feature as many as nine debutants.
Blues coach Andrew Patmore has made sweeping selection changea, dropping incumbent halves Maddie Studdon and Kirra Dibb from the 20-player squad.
Corban McGregor is expected to move from fullback to five-eighth, with Sydney Roosters teammate Melanie Howard to make her debut at halfback.
