Ahead of her first NRLW Grand Final, Mia Wood has opened up on her rugby league journey and the importance of family as she looks to play a starring role in the Sydney Roosters' attempt to clinch back-to-back premierships.
Initially brought in as an injury replacement in 2023 from the North Sydney Bears, Wood may only be three years into her professional rugby league career, but she has already proven that she belongs in the competition.
Featuring in every single game for the Tricolours during this year's campaign, her versatility has enabled her to play a number of different roles for the club, whether it be on the edge as a back-rower or in her primary position as a winger.
Named as a replacement in the 2024 NRLW Grand Final against the Cronulla Sharks, Wood now gets to experience the dream that many young female athletes can only dream of.
"I'm very keen for it. You can tell all the girls are excited about the game this week and we're all just very excited to kind of put together everything we've been working on," Wood told Zero Tackle.
As Wood prepares to run out onto Accor Stadium, the 26-year-old revealed that she didn't always have the dream of playing in the NRLW and follow in the footsteps of her father, Garth Wood, who played for the Rabbitohs and Balmain Tigers.
This was due to rugby league not being much of a viable option for girls when she was growing up, and there were fewer opportunities to play the sport compared to today.
Instead, the standout athlete dreamt of playing either touch football for Australia or qualifying for the Olympics in rugby sevens.
"I don't think I ever thought that I'd be able to carry the Wood legacy in the NRL sport," Wood said.
"My main sport was long-distance running and then touch football as well. I think touch was my favourite and I always wanted to aspire to play for Australia.
"As I was getting a bit older, I saw that there wasn't too much of an opportunity with touch and rugby sevens started coming along, so I transitioned to that for a bit to try and make the Olympics.
"But I think rugby league has always kind of had a soft spot in my heart just from the history it has with my family. Once it was getting bigger in the girls NRLW, that's when I was really keen to kind of cross over."
Now making a name for herself in the 13-player code, Wood sits one victory away from becoming a premiership player.
Set to take on the Brisbane Broncos, who boast the likes of Ali Brigginshaw, Julia Robinson and two-time Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton, she credits her father and partner Nick Mougios as her most significant influences on and off the field.
"He's the best," Wood said about her partner Nick who is a former Under-21s Jersey Flegg captain for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and has represented Greece on the international stage including at the most recent Rugby League World Cup.
"He is one of the most supportive partners that you can ask for. He is always there for me.
"On the good days of football but also sometimes the bad days or if I have any injuries or anything like that, I do ask him for a lot of advice because he has had a bit of experience with footy as well.
"I think it's also good having a partner that has played rugby league at a similar level as well just with all the commitments that I have during the seasons.
"It's a bit more understanding when you've experienced it yourself."
