Kiama Knights junior Maria Paseka made her first NRLW appearance of the season last weekend, running out on the wing for the St George Illawarra Dragons in their clash against the Cronulla Sharks.

Currently part of the Dragons’ development squad, Paseka has been working hard behind the scenes all season. She was given her opportunity after injuries hit the main squad - and she made the most of it.

“I knew I had a big role to fill, especially with some of the girls out,” Paseka said. “I just had to stick to my game plan and really focus on doing my job on the field.”

While nerves were there, she said they weren’t as intense as when she made her debut last year - also against the Sharks.

“It was really exciting. The nerves were there, but surprisingly, not as much as last year. It felt pretty good to be out there with the girls again.”

Despite the Dragons’ 20–6 loss, Paseka was a standout performer. She made 13 runs for 165 metres - the most of any player in her team - and scored the Dragons’ only try of the match.

Her stunning solo effort began deep inside her own half, spotting a gap on her 20-metre line before sprinting nearly 80 metres to score.

“It happened so quickly. I didn’t really have time to process it - I just knew I’d made a break, and then everything went really fast,” she said.

“But scoring that try and seeing all the girls come around me - that’s what really made me happy. Seeing those big smiles, especially from the older girls I look up to - that meant everything. Win or lose, that moment was special.”

Paseka’s confidence to back herself and take on the line was no accident - it’s something her teammates and coaches have been encouraging all season.

“Lots of people I’ve played with have told me to back myself because they believe in me,” she said.

“I never really saw that in myself - I tended to focus on the negatives.

"But being around this group of amazing girls and coaches, it just clicked. I believed in myself in that moment.”

With senior players returning, Paseka will rejoin the development squad and line up for the Illawarra Steelers in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.

But if her performance is anything to go by, the 19-year-old has a bright future ahead.