Isabelle Kelly admits last season's NRLW semi-final loss still stings as the Sydney Roosters look to flip the script a year later.
After going through the 2022 regular season undefeated, the Roosters were short-priced favourites to breeze through the semi-finals and play for back-to-back premierships in the decider.
Instead, they found themselves ambushed by fourth-placed Parramatta, who had only snuck into the finals on points differential but led all day for a 24-10 upset victory.
The Roosters were left to lick their wounds and rue their first loss of the year coming at the worst possible time.
"It definitely still hurts for me. I think about that," Kelly told AAP ahead of Sunday's semi-final.
"We don't want to go through that again.
"A lot of our girls have been in our squad now since last year that went through that, who probably hadn't played a lot of big games but now know what it feels like as well."
A tough year of injuries and a busy off-season on the player market have meant only seven of the 17 named to play against Gold Coast on Sunday were members of the Roosters' semi-final losing side.
But as the second-placed Roosters again enter finals as the premiership favourites, Kelly will make sure the whole side is on the same page at Allianz Stadium.
"Just realise that semi-finals are not taken for granted," she said.
"Last year we probably took Parramatta for granted but then they came out and played their best game.
"We need to not focus on the other team so much and just really hone in on how strong and how versatile we are as a collective playing group."
Kelly's partner in the centres, Jess Sergis, has been ruled out with a dislocated finger.
Sergis trained this week but is tracking to return for the grand final next Sunday if the Roosters are able to qualify.
"We've got that depth, we can cover that spot," Kelly said.
"(Sergis' replacement) Brydie Parker last week was incredible in the centres defensively."
The Roosters welcome star prop Millie Boyle and hooker Keeley Davis back to the middle forward unit after they recovered from their respective shoulder and hamstring injuries. They loom as crucial inclusions.
"The Titans have probably got one of the strongest middle packs. There's a lot of experience there," Kelly said.
"We've got a really, really strong pack as well. It's going to be a great middle fight out there."
