Roosters lock Hannah Southwell says a harmonious team environment fostered by new coach Jamie Feeney is behind their NRLW upswing.
The Roosters went winless in 2019 but have already booked a grand final date with back-to-back premiers Brisbane following Saturday's convincing 22-12 victory over the Warriors at Bankwest Stadium.
While the addition of rugby sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick has bolstered an already talented side, Southwell highlighted the squad's increased unity.
"We're more of a family. I know last year there were a few divides, but we've really come together as a group and I'm enjoying it. We're just enjoying playing footy," Southwell told NRL.com.
"There were a few different rifts, a few different kind of cliques last year. But we've all come together.
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"Feens [Jamie Feeney] just said, 'None of that bullshit, we're just going to come together as a team and make sure we perform on the park'.
"We've played together for a long time, a lot of us, so it wasn't too difficult [to form connections].
"I know a lot of the Norths girls had their connections and the Central Coast Roosters girls had their connections, but we've just come together as a team and it's been awesome."
Southwell's impressive form is another reason the Roosters are travelling nicely. Having played on the edge previously, the 21-year-old has relished the opportunity to start at lock, where her bone-rattling tackling technique is highly effective.
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"My Dad used to drill my brother and I in the backyard, just make sure we stuck every single tackle and it's paid off," Southwell said.
"So thanks, Dad ... You get to a point where you know that you've got [the ball-runner] and you can just drive them onto their back.
"I love doing it. Sometimes it's hard work, especially on a hot day like [Saturday]. But it was really good ... I love low-chop tackling, I've done it my whole life. To change momentum in a game is awesome.
"This is the first year I've played in the lock position for NRLW and I put [my form] down to our Central Coast Roosters coach, John Strange. He really helped me through the Harvey Norman premiership and really developed me as a player."
Southwell had ice on her shoulder after the Warriors match but said she'd only copped a few "stingers" in the first two rounds.
The Roosters will need her to fire when they face the Broncos next weekend in a preview of the decider.
"We're just happy that we can play footy, but that match-up against the Broncos will tough," Southwell said.
"We're going to have to make sure we stick to our game-plan again and just bring it to them."
The Tricolours lost to Brisbane in the first NRLW grand final in 2018, though Southwell was playing for the Dragons that year.
"We're working towards [the premiership], just whatever comes our way. But ... we'd love to win it," she said.