A lot has changed in the four years since Sam Bremner played State of Origin, for herself and rugby league.
Bremner started at fullback for the Blues back in 2018, the first year the women's interstate series was rebranded under the Origin banner.
As a two-time World Cup winner with the Jillaroos and a mainstay for New South Wales since her debut in 2012, she was unquestionably one of the best players and biggest stars in women's rugby league — plus an important cog in the launch of the first NRLW season later that year as one of the faces of St George Illawarra.
But life, and Bremner, had other plans. Due to injuries and the birth of her two children, the star fullback hasn't played for the Blues since and has only appeared in four NRLW matches total, including none this season – which makes the 30-year old's return to the New South Wales squad for Friday's Origin clash with Queensland all the more remarkable.
"I'm really proud to be here. It's been difficult, but it's been so rewarding, and it's a big part of my sense of belonging, playing rugby league and being around the girls," Bremner said.
"Coming into camp and being around the girls and being in this really professional, high pressure environment, I really missed that. It might sound crazy, to say you really missed it but I'm so happy to be back amongst this.
"I don't want people to think that just because something's hard or nobody else has done it or it seems near impossible that it's OK not to do it. If somebody thinks it can't be done, that really drives me."
Bremner, who will be the Blues' 18th player on Friday, is the only player selected in either interstate squad without appearing in this year's NRLW competition, with her slashing form in the New South Wales women's premiership series enough to earn her an Origin berth.
While she admits there were times when she questioned if she'd ever return to the top level, Bremner hopes her story inspires others who ever face the choice between top-level sport and motherhood.
"The whole experience gave me a lot of perspective. When you're an elite athlete a lot of your world is about you," Bremner said.
"It's about how you perform, how you conduct yourself, it's what you do for the team; after having children I have a deeper understanding that the world doesn't revolve around me.
"The world is a lot bigger than me, and the reasons why I play football are bigger than me and what I want to achieve.
"It's showing people you can follow your dreams even if it's difficult, and even if there's not a clear pathway towards what your dream looks like, you can create it yourself.
"I knew it would be a stretch to make this side from Harvey Norman (women's premiership), but I loved that people thought it might not be possible.
"The other thing is, I'd love it if my teammates – if they chose to have a family – to not feel like they have to choose between two of their biggest loves.
"I want to show my teammates … you can have it all."
Bremner returns to a different Origin arena than the one she's known.
The expansion of the NRLW this season means the playing standard has lifted, with more players being exposed to an elite training and playing environment.
Bremner, who is yet to confirm her NRLW future for this year's second season, says she worked hard to maintain her skills during the lengthy lay-off, and should disaster strike the Blues' spine on Friday she'll be ready to step back in.
