Gayle Broughton has had plenty of fans in her day.
That's part of the deal when you're a rugby star in New Zealand and when you wear the Black Ferns jersey and when you've won an Olympic gold medal for your country.
But since taking up with Parramatta to begin her rugby league career, things have been different.
"I've had some fans in my life but nothing compares to these Parramatta fans," Broughton said.
"It's crazy hectic, man, I'll be in K-Mart or something and they'll come up to me and tell me they love me and it's overwhelming.
"I'm like 'I'm just trying to buy some sheets' or something and they're losing it. It's great."
Blue and gold fever has swept through the west of Sydney like wildfire after the Eels NRL and NRLW sides both qualified for Sunday's grand final.
For Broughton and her teammates, just making Parramatta's first NRLW decider is an achievement – the Eels were winless until the final round of the regular season before they knocked off the previously unbeaten Roosters in a mighty upset in last week's preliminary finals.
Even before that victory, the west came alive for them. If they can pull off another heist in the decider against Newcastle, the area will rise with an even louder voice regardless of what happens in the men's match.
A team can win many titles but winning for the first time can only happen once and Broughton's big-game experience from her rugby days will prove crucial in ensuring the young Eels are not overawed by the occasion.
"I've experienced some pretty big games and what I'll tell this girls is that this is an opportunity, the kind of opportunity or moment that comes along in your life where you have to take it and enjoy it," Broughton said.
"Yes, it's a grand final and we make these moments so massive, but it's just playing footy with your mates.
"That's always my perspective, I'm playing footy with my mates and I'm going to enjoy it because you never know when something like this might happen again.
"We haven't quite got to 100 per cent yet. But now's the time – it's not how you start, it's how you finish and we keep saying that but we only say it because we believe it.
"Representing this area, representing western Sydney – my brother has lived around here for a long time and being able to give a premiership ring to everyone who helped me get here like the coaches, the management, my family, my partner, everyone, it would mean the world to give it back to them."
There were high expectations for Broughton in her maiden NRLW season but she's risen to the challenge and then some by fast becoming one of the most dangerous playmakers in the women's game.
Even so, the 26-year old still feels like she's finding her way in rugby league.
She maintains she's "95 per cent sure" she won't play in this year's World Cup because she doesn't feel like she's worthy of wearing the New Zealand jersey just yet.
But Broughton is hopeful of returning to the Eels next season and if she does she's almost certain to become one of the biggest stars in the women's game.
"We've all grown with this game and the biggest thing that's stood out is I didn't put those expectations on myself," Broughton said.
"I remembered there's only one Gayle Broughton in this game and that's the only person I can be and when I remind myself of that everything else works out.
"There's only one me and I can only be myself."
