Cut her and she bleeds, but Brisbane second-rower Romy Teitzel is thriving on discomfort as she targets back-to-back NRLW titles against arch rivals the Sydney Roosters.
Teitzel has been the form player of the finals with two sensational displays against Newcastle and Gold Coast.
In the 40-16 win over the Knights she suffered two nasty gashes to her head which required 10 stitches, but she got bandaged up and it seemed to drive her to greater heights in a two-try display.
Teitzel was at her best again in the 20-8 triumph over the Titans in the preliminary final, where she scored a try and made 31 punishing tackles.
"I'd like to think that two cuts to the head and 10 stitches doesn't make me play better, but I guess it probably makes you a little bit more determined," Teitzel grinned.
"You have to switch on a little bit more, but the occasion of the games changed more than me personally."
Teitzel, 27, is a two-time premiership winner with the Broncos and Newcastle, and as one of the team's leaders took it upon herself to set the example for the defending premiers who have eight new faces in the side from last year's title win.
The wounds are healing and she is ready for Sunday's grand final against the undefeated Roosters, who Brisbane beat in the decider last year.
"I am a little bit better this week. Last week I was a little bit worse for wear, but that's part of rugby league," she said.
"Unfortunately for me I copped two (head cuts) in the one game, but I am really fresh and ready to go."
Teitzel describes herself as "a kid from North Queensland who has loved rugby league since I could walk".
She didn't start playing the game until the age of 19 and lined up in one NRLW match for the Broncos in 2020 before her career kicked off.
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Since then she has evolved into the ultimate weapon after also playing fullback at Newcastle. Her tries in recent weeks have showcased brilliant hole running and awareness, feeding off half Jesse Southwell and fullback Tamika Upton, with whom she played with in the Knights' 2022 premiership win.
"I get to reap the rewards of their hard work. Jesse and Tamika get to create those opportunities for me and I just need to be in the right place at the right time," she said.
The grand final will be the final matches for retiring Roosters stars Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter, along with Broncos legend Ali Brigginshaw.
"We spoke at the start of the year about going up against the Roosters," Teitzel said.
"Now we both have players retiring who have done enormous things for our game ... so there is a lot to play for. Two big clubs going at it on grand final day, it is made for a great day."
