Idol chat: Young gun Indie primed for Kelly clash

After bursting onto the NRLW scene with a double against the Raiders, teen sensation Indie Bostock is primed for a showdown with one of the women who has inspired her journey to the big stage.

Bostock snared two tries and ran for 185 metres as the Red V launched their 2025 campaign in style in Canberra but the challenge gets much bigger against the premiers at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday.

Among a host of superstars who'll don the Roosters jersey it's the megastar in No.4 who Bostock will be watching most closely.

“Isabelle Kelly has been my idol ever since I can remember," Bostock said.

"I'll go out there, give her my all, and play with the respect she deserves.

"She’s such a good player, and I’ve been in awe of her for so long.

"Obviously she doesn’t know how I play either, so that’s a bit of a benefit. I’m nervous, but I’m excited. Not many people get to play against their idol."

In a whirlwind fortnight for the 18-year-old she savoured an Under 19s Origin victory with NSW before getting the call-up from Dragons coach Nathan Cross to make her NRLW debut.

“I knew about eight weeks ago (that she was ready to make her debut).” Cross said.  

“She has worked so hard and credit to her. I said that to her when I told her the news that she would be playing. If everyone could see the work that she’s done behind the scenes, it is incredible.

"You know, she’s put on eight or nine kilos of muscle to be NRLW ready.

"Everyone knew that she was a prestigious talent coming through the grades but now, first touch she runs 60 or 70 metres to score, I mean that’s ridiculous.

"Look, she’s going to have her tough times as well but I was so happy for her to start her NRLW career in that sort of way."

It was a proud moment for the Bostock family as Indie’s father, former professional rugby league player Joshua Bostock, and her brother, Dolphins winger Jack Bostock, watched her shine on debut.

Their support played a crucial role in keeping her grounded in the lead-up to the game. 

“Jack definitely helped,” she said. “He just reassured me - don’t think about the game, don’t play the game until it’s time to play it."

With Try July in full swing, Indie came prepared just in case she found the line on debut.

Her first try was dedicated to her brother, who will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

The ‘bossy cooks’ celebration was the same one Jack used in Try July last year. 

For try number two, Indie came up with a TikTok try celebration alongside teammate Ella Koster. 

“Me and Ella were just at the captain's run and we were like, 'we don’t have a try celebration', so I was searching up on TikTok what they do, and we just found one and went 'yeah, we’ll do it'," she said.

"It looked so slick on the big screen!"