Brad Donald's three-year extension as Jillaroos coach is good news for incumbent captain Ali Brigginshaw, who believes he's the man to help fully professionalise the sport before she retires.
Undefeated since taking the reins two years ago, Donald's new contract will see him lead the side to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England, where they will chase a historic third-straight title.
Donald will continue as the NRL's elite programs manager and says he's humbled to lead a team that inspires him.
Brigginshaw, who captained Brisbane to the NRL Women's premiership earlier this year, has balanced work on building sites and as a delivery driver during her career.
But she is seeing things change quickly with Donald at the helm.
"It's surreal where it's at now," the 29-year-old told AAP.
"We're new people; playing the game we love but being treated as well as the men.
"Even walking the street we're approached just like the men, as professionals."
Except they still aren't fully professional, with the advent of this year's inaugural NRLW helping raise their profile but not allowing them to throw in their full-time jobs.
"That's where Brad's been a huge driver for us, knocking on the door making sure we get what we deserve," Brigginshaw said.
"He's always about 'yes we get some money now, but it's nowhere near what we deserve'.
"He gets teary talking to us after games; you can see what it means to him."
The Ipswich product briefly gave up rugby league when she was 13 and on Thursday was conducting a clinic in Townsville telling 60 girls around that age how lucky they were.
With that in mind, she can only imagine where the sport is heading over the next five years.
"I'd like to think it'll definitely be moving forward (towards full professionalism)," she said.
"In 10 years these girls are going to be much better than we are.
"It's those sponsors and third parties that come on board now and take a gamble with the women's game that will get somewhere in the future."
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