Herdegen: 'To be part of it, is pretty cool'

One Queensland Under 19 player extra keen to rip in against New South Wales tonight is halfback Jayde Herdegen.

Herdegen, who plays for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the BMD Premiership, broke her hand against Tweed Seagulls on April 30 and has been doing everything in her power to get back into training and make the team.

The 17-year-old, who has three brothers, said representing Queensland meant everything to her and she hoped she could make her family - and the state - proud.

"I broke my hand during a game for Wynnum against Tweed... I ran at Rona Peters and yeah, it happened," Herdegen said.

The Redcliffe State High Year 12 student attended a camp with all of the Queensland Rubys and Queensland Sapphires players in May, but could not do the training; she said it was a valuable learning experience, learning from coach Ben Jeffries, Chelsea Baker and Meg Ward.

"You learn as much off the field as you do on," Herdegen said.

"Just being exposed to this environment, to represent your state, is insane.

"To be part of it, is pretty cool. I love these girls. They've got heart, you know. I am lucky that I can play next year as well."

Herdegen, whose brother Zac played Cyril Connell Challenge for Wynnum Manly and Corey plays Hastings Deering Colts, said she was stoked to be the first one of them to don maroon.

"It's good. Beating the boys is good," she laughed.

"We've grown up playing footy. They didn't have footy for girls so I played soccer, Austag... but playing footy in the backyard. There was no limits... it was good. I love it."

Herdegen said what was important to her, come the game, was making her family proud.

"That's what gets me over the line," she said.