Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott will seek a premiership farewell when the Sydney Roosters meet Canberra in Saturday's NRLW preliminary final at Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters remain unbeaten, while the Raiders are chasing their first grand final appearance after a remarkable season.
Canberra's coaching staff introduced emotional vulnerability sessions during pre-season, asking players to discuss their backgrounds and paths into rugby league.
Hollie Mae-Dodd said the sessions continued before the finals and revealed experiences teammates had not previously understood.
"It made you see people in a different light. You definitely became closer to the people," Dodd told AAP.
The Roosters instead changed their on-field approach after losing last year's grand final, with coach John Strange developing a new strategy shortly before their trial.
Five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher said the squad had only about a week to adjust before the trial match.
"We flipped the script on its head, and we had a lot to learn in a week," Kelleher told AAP.
She said Strange trusted the players to execute his plan, which had produced strong results during the season.
Canberra lost its earlier meeting with the Roosters by four points, but the Raiders intend to use that performance as a foundation for a major upset.
The Roosters will also aim to honour Baxter and Elliott with a title after both players announced their retirements last week.