Kelly holds no grudges as Origin return firms

Blues star Isabelle Kelly insists she holds no grudges towards Amber Hall over the ugly tackle that almost cost her a spot in the NSW Origin side this season.

Kelly is on track to return from a syndesmosis injury for the interstate clash on November 13 after being named in an extended Blues squad on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old screamed in agony after falling awkwardly in a 'hip-drop' tackle from Hall while playing for the Dragons in round two of the NRLW earlier this month.

Hall accepted a one-match ban for the incident and went on to play in last Sunday's NRLW grand final, where she was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal for best on the ground.

Speaking of the incident for the first time as the NSW squad assembled, Kelly was confident she'll overcome the injury in time for the Sunshine Coast challenge.

"It was very painful, I can't deny that, but it's rugby league at the end of the day and injuries happen," Kelly said.

"She did apologise and I thought she had an awesome game on the weekend and deserved player of the match.

"I'm not holding any grudges at all. I think it's just about getting myself to focus on the injury and do everything I can to be out there for the game.

"It obviously looked really nasty and we were surprised it wasn't a lot worse than what it was.

"[But] I'm progressing really well, I'm on the right track and am in a really good headspace."

Kelly has been well supported by her husband Jake Callister, who she married in January.

Callister was an assistant coach to Kelly's club side, Central Coast Roosters, prior to her first NRLW season at the Dragons, and is a key to keeping the 2018 golden boot winner physically at her best.

"He's my rock, I was really emotional because I worked so hard to get to the NRLW and play my best footy so he's been there throughout the whole thing," Kelly said.

"It's a massive thing to think you're going to miss out [on NSW selection] so I don't know what I'd do without him.

"And even someone like Kylie Hilder, she's someone that I don't know what I'd do without her. I'm very lucky in that sense.

"Some people don't have many people to lean on but I'm very lucky that I have the two and my dad because I don't know how I'd get through some tough times without them."

Kelly said the prospect of playing the Maroons in enemy territory was NSW's toughest challenge yet after winning the past four clashes between the two states – two of those under the Origin banner.

"They've got a really strong team," she said.

"Tamika Upton has been playing amazing, obviously Ali [Brigginshaw] has been for many years and Tarryn Aiken – they've been so good for the Broncos.

"But it's good, I like the challenge and all the girls do, too."