Cathy Freeman has carried the weight of a nation on her shoulders - so being named Cronulla's No.1 supporter for season 2005 should be a walk in the park, right?

Think again.

Freeman - an Olympic gold medallist in the 400m at the Sydney Games and one of the country's most recognisable sporting figures, even in retirement - couldn't help but feel a tad intimidated when she was informed supermodel Elle Macpherson was among those to have previously held the honour.

"I'm feeling slightly intimidated," Freeman laughed.

"But I figure she hasn't got an Olympic gold medal. She's got everything else, just not an Olympic gold medal."

Although based in Melbourne and a member of AFL club Carlton, Freeman comes from good rugby league stock.

Her father Norman "Twinkletoes" Freeman and grandfather Frank Fisher played the game in central Queensland while her brothers are David Peachey fans.

"I feel like I'm re-visiting my childhood," she said, flanked by Peachey and Cronulla captain Brett Kimmorley at a media conference in the Shire.

"I did grow up with rugby league and I've been living in Melbourne since 1991.

"My father's nickname was Twinkletoes. Legend has it that my father and my grandfather were asked to go to a club in England.

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