Six-year wait worth it for Maroons' Stephanie Mooka

She's had to wait six years with a few close calls in between but Queensland are finally ready to unleash dual code representative Stephanie Mooka against NSW on June 21.

The Cairns product, who if you don't see on a sporting field you'll find working on boats across the Great Barrier Reef educating tourists about the local Indigenous and Torres Strait culture, is one of four fresh faces to be blooded by Maroons coach Jason Hetherington next Friday night at North Sydney Oval. 

Mooka looked dangerous in limited opportunities at the Harvey Norman National Championships and could find herself given the job of containing golden boot winner Isabelle Kelly if she's confirmed to start in the centres for the interstate clash.

"It's always been something I've strived for, to be a part of the Maroons team," Mooka told NRL.com.

"I've made the Marlins local side since I was 22. I've always played in local sides. The last time I made the Queensland train-on squad I couldn't fly down because I couldn't afford it. I also made All Stars in 2014 but had to choose work over it.

"So it's been hard but with the opportunities available now and having a chat to Heather Ballinger who is also from up north, I've been able to have a proper go at trialling this year."

The tall and lanky centre is rich in rugby league background but was a victim of the local women's competition folding in 2011, meaning she had no choice but to turn to rugby union and AFL.

She was thrown into the ruckman position for AFL purely for her height, but it's now paying dividends with an improvement in her speed and coordination. 

"A lot of the league girls up north are playing AFL for that reason," Mooka said.

"The league folded in 2011 so most of us started playing union. Then that folded so we turned to sevens and AFL.

"We have a lot of good footy players up there but don't have the support system. 

"But the pathways have picked up over the last 12 months which is good and I'm looking forward to how that will look in a couple more years.

"I'm 28 now so feel like it's getting too late for me with my career coming closer to an end but I want to lead the way for younger girls to come through from the northern areas."

Mooka will join Ballinger and Jenni-Sue Hoepper as Queenslanders to represent the Northern region.