Better late than never. That's the mentality of some of our Kiwi league players across the ditch as the NRL-W season finally gets underway on Sunday.
The 2021 competition was postponed in September last year due to COVID-19, leaving players without a job and with no way home.
Now, they're hoping the sacrifices and hardship will pay off in more ways than one.
There were smiles all round for the NRL-W's season promo shoot - a very different vibe to just a few months ago.
"I was actually really surprised we all did agree to come back," Newcastle Knights forward Charlotte Scanlan tells Newshub.
"Just because how tough it was emotionally and mentally."
The 2021 season was postponed at the 11th hour, and when Delta burst the trans-Tasman travel bubble, Kiwis like Scanlan and Titans halfback Karli Hansen were stranded in Australia with no income - the MIQ lottery their only way home.
Scanlan managed to secure a spot, but Hansen stayed and found a job with the NRL.
She's called Australia home since July, but time away from family has been tough.
"I'm glad I stayed," says Hansen. "It's been hard, I call them [family] every day, literally.
"But luckily enough, the borders are opening."
And after six gruelling weeks of pre-season, there's light at the end of the tunnel.
"I think we can all agree this time round has been way better," adds Scanlan. "Even the fact the comp is going ahead is huge."
Although, going ahead with a big omission.
"It was disappointing that the Warriors weren't having a team," says St George Illawarra Dragons wing Madison Bartlett.
A void that these players are determined to fill, with hopes of inspiring the next generation of Kiwi girls.
"At the moment, there's not a lot back home for the girls," Bartlett continues. "But hopefully them seeing us over here is motivation that they can still do it."
"Whatever I learn when I eventually do go home, I can teach the girls as well," Scanlan adds.
But first things first.
"Ultimately, we're here to win - that's our goal," says Scanlan.
