Holli Wheeler feels she has a debt to pay Cronulla teammates in the NRLW grand final after missing the semi-final win through suspension.
No one was more relieved than Wheeler when the Sharks stunned minor premiers Brisbane with a 14-0 win last week and advanced to meet the Sydney Roosters in Sunday's decider.
The veteran had been banned from the clash in Brisbane for laying a high shot on rival forward Sarah Togatuki in the loss to Wests Tigers a week earlier.
Bound for expansion club Canterbury next season, Wheeler had feared the tackle may have ended her career at the Sharks, who were rank outsiders ahead of their semi-final.
"It dawned on me that night. I rolled over to my partner and said, 'I think I'm out (of the semi-final) this week'," Wheeler told AAP.
"The reality of that sunk in the next day.
"There was that uncertainty around, 'Have I played my last game in a Sharks jersey?'. It wasn't how I wanted to go out."
The prop watched from the couch as Cronulla snapped the three-game losing streak that threatened to undo their season, and became the first NRLW team to hold Brisbane scoreless.
She became particularly vocal when fellow front-rower and future Bulldogs teammate Tegan Dymock came close to scoring during the second half.
"I'm expecting a letter from the real estate about the noise complaints," Wheeler quipped.
"A few pillows were thrown, lounge room items were thrown around the room. It was just sheer excitement and ecstasy more than anything else.
"I think I was the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life in any sporting game. But from the kick-off, the girls looked in control and it just seemed like they had a good grasp on the game."
Wheeler returns to start in the front row alongside Ellie Johnston in a boost to the Sharks' hopes of containing Millie Elliott and the Roosters' middle forward rotation.
The decider carries extra weight for Wheeler, given her impending move and two previous grand final losses during five seasons at St George Illawarra.
But last week's suspension will provide the biggest motivation of all.
"The full-time whistle sounded and I thought, now I get to go back and repay the girls," Wheeler said.
"It's heartbreaking to miss out but in saying that, the girls that played stood up.
"To be given an opportunity to play in a grand final now and repay the girls is huge. It's lit a new fire in my belly.
"I'll really go out with a bang here, knowing now this is my last game in a Sharks jersey. I want to ensure I leave it in a really good position and go out as a champion."
