But the smile on her face suggests, if only for a few hours, she would not want to be anywhere else.

The Uni-Norths Owls flanker has sent Wallaroos selectors a timely reminder as they search for the tonic to end an unbeaten run against their all-conquering counterparts across the ditch.

O'Neill played a key role as Uni-Norths thrashed the Canberra Royals 40-19 to claim the ACT women's premiership at Viking Park on Saturday.

The grand final was the former Wallaroo's stage to prove she still has plenty to offer - and the musical theatre performer clearly relishes life on the big stage.

"I hope I'm in the back of their minds," O'Neill said.

"I hope they're considering me as a player for the future, I can only do what I can now and control what I can control.

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"Where I am at the moment, I'm really enjoying my rugby. Whether it is club, state or international level, I will always give 100 per cent."

Much like she did in a remarkable 70-minute effort for the Owls to carry them towards the summit.

Much like she has all season in an impressive run of form that saw her claim the inaugural Louise Ferris Medal for the competition's best.

"It's been full on having that go on as well, but I didn't have that in my head," O'Neill said.

"I'm honoured to receive that award but at the same time I am honoured to play alongside the Owls girls. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

While fullback Rachel Crothers would claim player of the match honours, it was O'Neill setting the tone.

Anna Korovata opened the scoring for the Owls and then it was all one-way traffic.

So much so that when Dana-Louise Deklin burst through an opening down the flank to score, her teammate Emerena Marsh-Aviga had stayed back at halfway.

She has seen Deklin in open space before - and it always ends the same way.

This time the contest would ultimately end with Owls skipper Jane Garraway lifting the trophy to bring the Royals' staggering giant-killing run to an end.

"I haven't felt that in a long time," O'Neill said.

"It was very nerve-wracking at the beginning. But at the sound of the buzzer I just felt so much relief and realised how much we had tried throughout that 70 minutes.

"It was a big effort from the girls and I'm glad it's done. It was a struggle for all of us, we've been up and down in some games.

"We just missed out by a bit against Easts, Royals and Vikings in some of our games.

"We realised this game was so important to us that we had to put in a big performance."

ACT women's premiership grand final: UNI-NORTHS OWLS 40 (Anna Korovata 2, Rachel Crothers, Dana-Louise Deklin, Claudia Obst, Sammie Wood tries; Sammie Wood 6 cons) bt CANBERRA ROYALS 19 (Kiahan Bellchambers, Grace Kemp, Michelle Perry tries; Ashlea Bishop 2 cons) at Viking Park.