By day, Makenzie Weale is a hard-working diesel mechanic in Townsville.

Tonight, she will lead Queensland from the front when she runs out for the second State of Origin clash with New South Wales in Sydney.

Such is the life of the former Mt Maria College Mitchelton student who has made her way to the top of Australian women's rugby league.

Makenzie is used to hard work.

She swapped her apprenticeship as an electrician to try her hand as a diesel mechanic, working on heavy vehicles, and continues to flourish in her new trade.

Makenzie, 22, will take the work ethic from that engine room into the ultimate Australian sporting engine room – the forward clashes of an Origin match.

Makenzie is one of Queensland's two starting front-rowers, trying to create the forward momentum for the Maroons to surge down the field against New South Wales.

Makenzie is fondly remembered at Mt Maria College, where she was the sports captain and senior sportswoman of the year in 2019.

Makenzie's family, including parents Dave and Michelle and brother Ethan, were valued members of the College community.

“Makenzie has accomplished so much already, and her career is only just beginning," Mt Maria College assistant principal Michael Crank said.

“Makenzie's sporting journey started in field hockey where she made several representative teams. All the signs were there for a bright future in hockey. However, in 2016 fate stepped in and at age 14 she decided to try her hand at rugby sevens and rugby league.

“Pretty soon the shin pads and hockey stick were put in the corner as she embarked on a different sporting journey."

Makenzie was named in the Queensland Under 18 league team and in the Queensland Academy of Sport Under 18 rugby union squad.

After juggling both codes, Makenzie settled on rugby league and began making her way into the highest ranks.

She switched from Wests Panthers to Norths Devils, featuring in the squad that reached the grand final of last year's statewide women's competition. 

At the same time, Makenzie was called up for her Origin debut and played in all three matches of Queensland's series win .

She moved to Townsville last year to take up a three-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRLW competition.

“Makenzie is a real character, a hard worker and just a really good team player," Norths CEO Troy Rovelli said.

“Makenzie's a credit to her family and to her school who can be very proud of the young woman that she has become.