Representing Queensland at Friday’s State of Origin clash in Sydney was something Stephanie Mooka probably felt had passed her by.
The north Queenslander had twice had to knock back representative opportunities in rugby league due to either a lack of finances or work commitments.
When her local women’s rugby league competition folded, she was forced to play rugby union and Aussie Rules to sate her athletic desires.
Thankfully persistence paid off earlier this year when Mooka earned a spot in the Queensland Country team to play at the national championships on the Gold Coast.
Her displays in that tournament were enough for Maroons coach Jason Hetherington to name the tall centre in his team to face NSW at North Sydney Oval.
“If I was to describe it in one word, it’d be ‘overwhelming’,” Mooka told AAP.
“To be running alongside players of this calibre – I mean we’ve got the first Dally M player over here in Jenni-Sue (Hoepper) and Ali Brigginshaw, Meg Ward, Steph Hancock.
“It’s amazing.”
The 28-year-old appeared lost to the game after taking up Aussie Rules but says her first love has always been rugby league.
The emergence of new opportunities in north Queensland combined with the growth of the women’s game is one Mooka appreciates and anticipates will ensure even more talent emerging from that part of the world.
“Very excited, especially for the young women up north,” she said.
“The pathways have definitely gotten a bit stronger. There’s a lot more opportunity and support nowadays than back then.”