HOLLI Wheeler admits to having mixed feelings at confirmation that the NRLW premiership would be kicking off this year.
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The State and Australian rugby league representative is happy the competition is going ahead for the third year following the announcement of a funding package by the NRL.
However, she's disappointed she won't be part of the action.
"It would take a massive miracle for me to be able to play,'' Wheeler, 30, said.
She's currently recovering after tearing her ACL playing for St George Illawarra in the NRL Nines in Perth in February. A backrower, Wheeler, formerly of Old Bar and now in living in Newcastle, has turned out for Saints in the opening two years of the NRLW.
She only started playing rugby league three seasons ago with CRL Newcastle (now Central Coast Roosters) in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership. In that time she's gained State of Origin and test honours and won a NSW premiership with CRL Newcastle, where she was named player of the grand final, along with playing in the NRLW.
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Wheeler was a member of the St George Illawarra side beaten by Brisbane in last season's NRLW decider.
Wheeler is rated among the elite players in the country. However, she's resigned to watching from the sidelines this season, although she intends to stay involved.
"I'll be helping out in the coaching side of things this year - that'll be a new challenge,'' she said.
She said her knee is coming along pretty well and she's confident of making a full recovery.
"I'm getting more strength into it,'' she assured.
Gyms have now reopened and Wheeler said this will help with her rehab.
Wheeler hopes to resume running in a month and believes she is on track to be fit for the start of the 2021 season.
Her longer term aim is to make the Australian Jillaroos team to contest the World Cup in England in November next year.