Australia centre Isabelle Kelly credits her father Ken for giving her the drive and spirit to reach the top of her craft, and for being a wonderful dad at a very sad time for the family.
The 26-year-old will fly to England with the Jillaroos squad on Sunday determined to lift the World Cup for a second time after she was a member of the 2017 outfit that won the title at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Kelly has done it all in the game. She's won a NRLW title with the Sydney Roosters, State of Origin series with NSW and a World Cup.
Ken Kelly, who played for Manly, is the inspiration behind Isabelle's quest for more success.
"The biggest reason why I want to keep being the best player I can be is definitely my dad. He has had a lot of hardship within his life," Kelly told AAP.
"He lost his mum when he was really young, and then his brother. Then unfortunately my mum passed away eight years ago.
"He still had the drive to be such a good dad and be strong for our family. He was an aggressive player and a tough nut on the field when he played. I know that I play like him when I am out there."
The loss of her mum Maree rocked Kelly, but rugby league was her saviour.
"It was just after I finished school. I did not really know what I was doing with myself at the time," she said.
"I am not really book smart so I was a little bit lost. I started playing rugby league the year after and my career skyrocketed from there, making Origin and then the Jillaroos.
"Footy has been a blessing in disguise for me with helping me deal with all of that and making me very resilient at overcoming things I never thought I could. I am really lucky I have footy as this way to showcase what I can do."
Despite all she has achieved, Kelly is not satisfied with what has already been ticked off in her career.
"All I want to do now is lift the World Cup trophy. The drive never stops," she said.
"That feeling of winning is addictive after the pain and sacrifice you go through with all the girls you take the field with. When you lift that trophy at the end it is all worth it."
Her dad doesn't like to fly so won't be in England, but he'll be watching from afar.
"He is my best friend, and with my husband (Jake Callister) supporting me as well I am just super lucky," Kelly said.
