Not even Dwyer herself could have known she'd finish her career a bona fide NSW and Queensland great. It's something akin to splitting the rugby league atom and makes it perfectly fitting that she sits at No. 1 on the Jillaroos honour roll.

There may be few things Queensland and NSW league fans agree on, but Dwyer holding that position goes pretty close to it.

There's certainly no player held in higher esteem either side of the border than the Albion Park product, who was a foundation stone of Queensland's 17-year dominance of the Interstate Challenge after shifting north for work in 2001.

It came years before the women's interstate rivalry became a State of Origin one and leaves her entrenched in the realms of Maroons greats alongside the likes of Tahnee Norris and Karyn Murphy.

She still resides north of the border and has been part of the Queensland coaching staff the past three years. She admits it can toss up some emotional curve balls.

"There's mixed emotions around it at times," Dwyer said.

"It is quite unique I suppose. When we're in camp and we talk about the Queensland way, at one point I was on the opposite side of the field.

"It's different now given they've aligned everything with the men so it's State of Origin. It's a bit like Wayne Bennett coaching England. He's Australian, but you're there to do a job and you're just there to do your best.

"I always give a hundred per cent when I'm up here coaching with Queensland. When I was playing for NSW I was giving it a hundred per cent as well."

Her status in the maroon set-up leads many drawing the easy conclusion she must be a Queenslander, but there's no questioning her place in the upper echelons of Illawarra league products.

In that regard, her pedigree is a rich one, with grandfather Placid Dwyer having claimed the inaugural Illawarra Rugby League premiership with Wollongong alongside brothers Peter and Eric.

The Park is where she started playing in the backyard with three younger brothers and - with most of her family still residing there - she's never forgotten where the journey started.

Dwyer began her career in 1993 as a teenager, playing for the Wollongong Wildcats and the Albion Park Outlaws and for Bulli as part of the famed Cabbage Tree Eagles.

That team featured fellow inaugural Jillaroos Tarsha Gale, Sherilee Moulds and Julie McGuffie, with the quartet combining for all 14 of Australia's points in what was ultimately an 18-14 loss to the Kiwi Ferns in the first Test outing in 1995.

"I live up here now but I remember years ago I sat my level one coaching [certificate] the guy at the time said never forget where you come from," she said.

"I still have strong roots there, my parents and family are all still there and every time I come down Mt Ousley where the mountains meet the sea it's always a special feeling."

Dwyer was remarkably still there 18 years later when the Jillaroos broke their arch-rivals unbeaten stranglehold on the world champions tag at the 2013 World Cup.

Read more: Original Jillaroo Tarsha Gale reflects on women in league journey

That side included the emerging generation of Illawarra Test stars including Player of the Tournament Sam Bremner (Jillaroo No. 119), Ruan Sims (121), Emma Tonegato (122) Emily Andrews (123) and Tegan Chandler (124).

All will feature on a list of 25 Illawarra-produced Jillaroos on a fresh plaque to be unveiled as a new addition to Steelers Club honour roll on Friday. Dwyer sits first at number one, with the list currently finishing with most recent Jillaroo Shakiah Tungai (No. 157).

"My niece knows Shak so it's a small world," Dwyer said.

"She's such a talented player as are all the players that pull on a Jillaroos jersey. I know [current coach] Brad Donald works extremely hard with the culture as well as making sure the girls are right to perform on the day.

"It gives me goosebumps [to be top of the list]. That first Test is something that happened such a long time ago and a lot of people talk about us being the trailblazers and the pioneers but there's been so many great players come after us.

"Back then, when it all started, I wouldn't have ever thought it would get to where it is now. It's pretty special."

The honour roll unveiling will be followed by a celebratory luncheon at Steelers' Scarletts' bar compered by Matt Russell featuring interviews and reflections on the Illawarra's contribution to what's a now much-celebrated Jillaroos tradition.

Information about tickets and corporate table packages is available from Steelers reception (4227 2255).