Queensland women's fullback Lori Cramer admits it's difficult not to let thoughts of a Super W grand final rematch with NSW seep into her mind.
But Cramer and her Queensland teammates are aware that the improving Brumbies women are ready to spring a Ballymore ambush if they think too far into the future.
Queensland head into Sunday's knockout final having had a bye in the last round of the regular season.
But their last match was a scratchy 12-0 win against a determined Brumbies side and Cramer knows if they are not on song on Sunday, they will be punished.
"They're going to come out firing and they're going to put us under a lot of pressure and we expect that, so we'll just be prepared for that," Cramer said.
"A team like the Brumbies, they're an 80-minute team and we've really got to play for 80 minutes otherwise they'll creep back, they won't roll over and die.
"It's our last roll of the dice as well, so we're going to throw everything back at them and that's what's going to make it such a good game."
A spluttering Queensland were frustrated by a physical Brumbies outfit last start after making several changes to their starting side.
But Cramer said the match may turn out to be the best thing for Queensland's Super W campaign.
"I think it was really good for us to be put under that amount of pressure before finals and have to deal with that before it's too late when there's no coming back from losing," she said.
"We made a lot of mistakes, I think they just put us under a lot of pressure.
"I think it's kind of easier that way because it was our own mistakes that were made, so we just have to focus on our own game and fix our own mistakes."
Cramer said it was crucial for the Queensland women to stay "present" on Sunday and not allow thoughts of a possible grand final berth to creep into their consciousness.
But she admitted it was hard not to think about having the chance to avenge last year's heartbreaking extra-time grand final loss.
"I think that's definitely in the back of everyone's minds, I'd be lying if I said we weren't thinking about it a little bit but everyone's been focusing on this week because you can't focus too far in the future," she said.
"There's been upsets in the past and it'd be really disappointing if we let our own heads get to us."
The Brumbies will fancy their chances after their last performance at Ballymore and while they lack Queensland's depth, they boast some outstanding individuals such as no.8 Tayla Stanford, who has caught the eye of Cramer and her teammates.
"I don't know Tayla but I remember watching the first game and second game and just being like: 'that chick can run!'
"I'm keen to have a beer with Taya, she seems like a lot of fun and a really good runner.
"She's a great player and I like watching girls like that who are really physical and run people over.
"As fullback it's not fun to be run over, to be on other people's highlights reel, so that will be the plan for me - to not be on her highlights reel this week."
The Queensland Women's XV take on the Brumbies women at Ballymore on Sunday, March 31, kicking off at at 3.30pm AEDT (2.30pm local), LIVE on Kayo Sports and streamed on RUGBY.com.au, with the winner progressing to the grand final against NSW.
