So said Country Rugby League Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton, following the Indigenous versus All Stars game at Mackay Oval, Batemans Bay on Saturday, March 18.

“She has natural speed and skill, she reads a game very well for her age,” Wilton said.

The sixteen year old started playing from a very young age, training and playing with the boys until she was 11.

“After that I had to move to League Tag; they separate the boys and girls when they get older and there were no girl’s comps down here then,” Lily said.

Lily is a student at the Narooma High School and sees sport as her future, training five days each week plus games and trials. 

That means a lot of travelling.

“I have to go up to Wollongong and to Bomaderry, to train with different teams, a couple of times each week,” Lily said.

“My dad does a lot of travelling with me – he is the majority of my lifts. I couldn’t do it without him.”

Lily believes all the travelling and training is worth it.

“I am trying out for the Commonwealth Youth Games,” Lily said.

“There was a trial last week but I missed that due to the league on Saturday. I had already played a game in Wollongong earlier in the day – that’s why I was late onto the field for the game at Batemans Bay.”

Lily is set for the next trial, in Sydney on April 7-9, although she says there are tough players vying for selection.

“My chances are okay, although a lot of the girls have really good skills,” Lily said.

Lily also plays union – she was in the Brumbies women’s team – and has competed in athletics.

“Mainly the 100 metre and the 200 metre sprints; I was competing at State level in those events,” she said.

And she knows how to use her speed in rugby.

“I like the contact in rugby, though you could say I use speed more than force when I play. I like the speed too.”

Lily’s speed – running alone down the length of field –was one of the real highlights of last Saturday’s game according to Wilton.

“The ladies was a fantastic game; there were powerful runs, heavy hits and even a couple of full-length tries,” he said. 

“Lilly is a fine young player with great potential. If she continues to prove herself and work hard she has a very bright future,” Wilton said.

“Women’s league around the country is accelerating so quickly, both quality and quantity. We have strong players here on the Far South Coast.

“Lily is a part of that push.”