If you had of told Olivia Higgins she'd be wearing the No.9 jersey for the Sydney Roosters in 2022, she wouldn't have believed you.
However, the 29-year-old Hunter product is doing just that and preparing to contest her maiden NRLW finals series.
The Roosters are scheduled to meet minor premiers and three-time defending champions the Brisbane Broncos at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday (1:45pm).
It will be the second of back-to-back semi-finals at the famed rugby league venue with the St George Illawarra Dragons and Gold Coast Titans kick-starting proceedings (12pm).
Winners from each match progress to the decider, which will be held at Redcliffe's Moreton Daily Stadium on April 10.
Higgins, who has once again been named as starting hooker for the Roosters after making her NRLW debut in Newcastle earlier this season, says it has been an unexpected rise in the national women's competition.
"When I first got picked I was just stoked to be in the squad," Higgins told the Newcastle Herald.
"I felt like I was training alright but I was pretty lucky. I was definitely not expecting that [No.9 jersey].
"If you had of asked me that last year playing Harvey Norman [NSW Women's Premiership] I wouldn't have believed you."
Higgins, a PE teacher at Newcastle High School, has welcomed support from family, friends, colleagues, students and teammates during her maiden campaign.
"Liam and Luke [footy playing brothers with Macquarie] have been really supportive," she said.
"Having two games in Newcastle this season has meant a lot of family and friends have been able to come and watch ... all of my students get into it as well."
The Roosters finished the regular season in fourth spot on the ladder, having recorded two wins and three losses.
Higgins said it was "stressful" seeing the last round play out, with upcoming opponents Brisbane needing to beat fellow finals contenders Parramatta by at least 16 in order for the Roosters to qualify.
"There's not really a lot of pressure on us," she said.
"We haven't had the greatest campaign so far. We had a pretty slow start, a few of the girls got hit with COVID, and when we played them in round one it was probably our worst game."
Higgins said completion rates and controlling the tempo would be key factors for the tri-colours.
She often car pools to training and matches with Roosters teammates Hannah Southwell, Yasmin Meakes, Tayla Predebon and Simone Karpani.
