New South Wales and Jillaroos fullback Sam Bremner has never been more nervous for an Interstate Challenge ahead of the 2017 edition at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday.
Gearing up for her seventh game for New South Wales, Bremner said a host of firsts for the Dragons Ambassador is the reason as to why she's so on edge – not to mention that the Blues are defending the Interstate Challenge title for the first time in 19 years.
"I was only saying the other night to my husband that I'm extremely nervous. I couldn't stop thinking about football and I try not to do that all week because I don't want to burn out," Bremner said.
"I was trying to pinpoint why my emotions were different this year because I've been doing it for a long time.
”I came to the conclusion that it was on home soil for me which it's never been. It's live on Fox which it's never been and we're coming off the back of winning the title which it's never been.
"It's a first for many and it's adding to my nerves and excitement to play on Sunday."
Exactly eight years ago was the first time Bremner played at WIN Stadium and has been blown away by the development of the women's game ever since.
"I played for Helensburgh Tigers at half-time of an NRL game [eight years ago] and now I'm about to play for New South Wales on the same stage," Bremner said.
"Up until three years ago [the interstate challenge] was on at half-time of an NRL game or on an oval out back of whoop-whoop.
"Now we're a curtain raiser, which helps us get supporters and fans."
