Kiama Knights junior Maria Paseka is aiming to cement her place in the starting side for the St George Illawarra Dragons when the 2025 NRLW season kicks off next week.

The 19-year-old winger was officially added to the Dragons' top-24 squad last August, making her debut at the conclusion of their season.

Now, she’s looking to make a bigger impact in 2025.

Paseka's eyes lit up when she recalled the moment she learned she’d be joining the squad.

“I was literally lying in bed one evening when I got a call from Sowie [2024 coach Jamie Soward] saying I was going to be part of the top 24 and could potentially make my debut,” Paseka said.

“And literally the next weekend, I made my debut. It all happened really fast. There were a lot of emotions that week.”

Now her goal is to solidify her place in the top team - but just as importantly, to stay true to herself.

Maria will be hoping to cement her spot in the Dragons squad in 2025. Photo: St George Illawarra Dragons

“I’ve probably got to put on a few kilos,” she said. “But mainly, I just want to keep being the person I am today.

"Nathan Cross [current Dragons coach] often says you can be the best player on the field, but if your character off the field isn’t there, you won’t get far.

“So as long as my character’s strong both on and off the field, I think I’ll go a long way in footy. That’s my goal.”

Paseka began her sporting career in rugby union, playing alongside her cousin in a boys' team. She later made the switch to rugby league, joining the Kiama Knights under-14s when girls' tackle was first introduced to the competition.

“I first started playing in Kiama when they brought in girls' tackle,” she said. “We ended up winning the final that year with our coach Cindy Brookfield.”

She later moved to Collegians for under-18s, due to limited player numbers at Kiama.

“I wanted to keep playing league, but we didn’t have enough girls coming through at Kiama,” she said.

Switching from union to league came fairly naturally, but there were some adjustments.

“Union gave me a solid base, and I was used to contact, but there were little things I had to unlearn,” she said.

“In my first game, I accidentally put the ball back instead of playing it properly,” she laughs.

Most recently, Paseka represented NSW in the Under-19s Women’s State of Origin, scoring a try in their 26–10 victory.

The Dragons will open their 2025 campaign against the Raiders at GIO Stadium in Canberra next Saturday (5 July), and if selected, Paseka says she’s ready.

“I’ve really gotten to know the girls on a different level this year,” she said.

“A big focus at training has been team connection, because last year that was something we lacked.

“That’s been one of Crossy’s goals - to build stronger bonds across the squad. I’ve seen a whole new side of the girls, and now I feel really comfortable, especially under the leadership of the older, more experienced players.”

The Dragons NRLW side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season, where they finished second last on the ladder.

With fresh energy and emerging talent like Paseka in their ranks, the club is on track for a much more competitive 2025 campaign.