Sharni Smale hopes returning to Australia for a maiden NRLW season can help her take stock and rediscover her edge after a heartbreaking Paris Olympics.
Sevens veteran Smale is set to make her professional rugby league debut for Cronulla on Sunday, only 18 days after hot favourites Australia had their Paris dream crushed by a shock loss to USA in the bronze medal match.
The defeat also marked the end of Smale's glittering rugby sevens career, the 2016 gold medallist announcing her intention to retire only days before the Olympics began.
The 36-year-old three-time Olympian had initially considered a move back to rugby union after calling time, with the Wallaroos flying out to Ireland early next month to begin a six-week tour that also includes a trip to South Africa for the WXV.
AAP understands there had been a spot in the extended squad for Smale, who first represented the Wallaroos as a 20-year-old in 2008.
But at a crossroads after Paris, Smale wanted to be back home around the people who could remind her she was more than just an Olympic result.
"I was pretty happy with my process (in Paris), but it was just the outcome that the rest of the world harp on. If we don't come away with the medal, it's pretty tough for an athlete and for a team," Smale told AAP.
"So I have had to go back to the drawing board and go, 'Hey, I'm a three-time Olympian'. I'm sort of reminding myself of those things because you can get so caught up in all the accolades and all the medals that you actually forget that you're a human being first.
"For me to go away and be overseas for that, it's kind of too hard because I need the people around me to actually keep reminding me of that as well.
"I just wasn't in the right head space (to tour)."
That was when the injury-hit Sharks came knocking.
Tony Herman's side had been eyeing reinforcements for their top-24 squad after losing Jada Taylor and Grace-Lee Weekes to season-ending injuries inside an undefeated first three rounds of the competition.
The Sharks count sevens converts Emma Tonegato, Tiana Penitani and Brooke Anderson among their most valuable players.
"As I've spoken (about), the universe really sung to me and said, 'Hey, here's an opportunity, go take it for yourself, make a choice for you and your family'," Smale said.
"Because as much as travelling the world sounds awesome, I've been doing it for 12 years and it can really take its toll on you. Sometimes you just want to be at home."
She will make her NRLW debut off the bench as the Sharks host back-to-back reigning premiers Newcastle in round four.
Smale has been taking pointers from her Sharks teammates as she embraces her "newbie" status.
"I'm going to make mistakes, but I'm excited to make mistakes," she said.
"I think making those mistakes probably makes me find who I am again.
"I can get that little fire in my belly again where I'm like 'It's just footy, go out there and play with your mates'."
