Tamika Upton has ignored the pressure of expectation that came with her high-profile NRLW move to Newcastle, with the fullback declaring she's never loved rugby league more.
Upton and front-row weapon Millie Boyle left Brisbane for the Knights in arguably the biggest recruitment move in the competition's history.
The double play has paid off, with the Knights into Sunday's grand final after their winless wooden spoon season last year.
Three-time premiers Brisbane, meanwhile, have missed the semi-finals for the first time.
Upton scored twice in Sunday's tough semi-final victory over St George Illawarra, winning the battle of the fullbacks against the Dragons' former rugby sevens Olympic champion Emma Tonegato.
With Boyle also crashing over for a superb try, Newcastle coach Ronnie Griffiths lauded the impact the pair have had on and off the field ahead of the decider against Parramatta.
Upton, who returned from a calf injury, said she hadn't felt the weight of expectation that came with such a high-profile move.
"Everyone's saying there's a lot of pressure, but I never felt it," she said.
"Obviously it's there, hanging around and is what people say, but this is probably the most I've enjoyed my footy.
"I was shown a vision when I first went down to see the (Knights') facility and it's all come true; the club's supported us so well, so we're able to achieve that."
Upton will be more prepared for this decider than her first with Brisbane in 2019, when boldly switched from the wing to fullback for the first time.
She paid tribute to her forward pack and saved a nod for halfback and recent rugby sevens Commonwealth champion Jesse Southwell, who threw a clever inside ball to create the first of Upton's two tries.
"Jesse's involved in everything and she's bossing me around out there, but she has such a calm head," Upton said of the teenager.
Boyle said they all had another big effort left for Sunday's decider.
"Yeah bloody oath, everyone does," she said.
