Cronulla playmaker Georgia Hannaway is determined to build on the platform laid by departing halfback Tayla Preston and secure a permanent home in the Sharks' halves next season.
The 23-year-old stepped into the five-eighth jersey in Round 2 and quickly found her groove alongside Preston in the side's run to the NRLW grand final.
The halfback's move to the Bulldogs next season will prompt a Cronulla reshuffle, Emma Tonegato in the mix to return to the halves and fullback Jada Taylor on the comeback trail from an ACL tear.
Hannaway is determined to ensure she's in the starting side as she looks to build on an impressive debut NRLW campaign.
Georgia Hannaway Try
"They're some big shoes to fill from Tay," Hannaway told pan66.com. "She's done an awesome job with our team and she will be really missed.
"I hope I stay in the halves and hopefully I can step up to the legacy she left."
Sunday's grand final loss to the Roosters capped an eventful season for Hannaway after her transition from sevens to rugby league late last year.
The playmaker quickly hit the ground running and led Norths to the BMD Premiership decider in Queensland.
Her NRLW campaign was hampered by an ankle injury but she showed she has plenty more to give over the coming years.
Hannaway hard to handle
While disappointed to have fallen in both grand finals she contested this year, Hannaway said she learnt a lot about what it takes to perform at the highest level.
"I'm grateful for this season," she said. "I didn't expect any of it to happen.
"It's always been a dream to be in an NRLW grand final and a BMD grand final. I'm really glad I got the best of both worlds. Unfortunately I didn't get the result in either but I'm still really proud of my team and really happy to be a Shark."
As Hannaway turns her focus to 2025, she is eager to continue building her partnership with the Sharks playmakers.
Tonegato was one of the first players Hannaway formed a close bond with and the pair combined to help Cronulla stage a comeback from 24-0 down to set up an epic finish to Sunday's grand final.
The former sevens players used their attacking vision to pick apart a retreating Roosters defence in the second half. While the second-half rally fell short, Hannaway is confident they will be even more dangerous next year.
The Sharks are circling
"We play the same way and we almost have the same mind," Hannaway said. "In that second half I looked at her and said 'we need to go and we need to go now'. She agreed with me and every run she was right behind me.
"It's good having someone with that experience who is able to back you and doesn't doubt your decisions.
"It would be pretty deadly [to continue this partnership next year]. ET's a gun and she's got the athleticism and speed. If we go get to link up in the halves, I can't wait for it."
