Kaitlyn Phillips packs down alongside internationals Simiana Taufa and Talesha Quinn, regularly tackles the likes of Isabelle Kelly and Hannah Southwell and last weekend blew straight past Rikeya Horne, one of women's rugby league's brightest young players.
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She then pinches herself.
You see, this time last year, Phillips had only just played her first game of rugby league.
She's now one of the best forwards in the premier side in the NSW Rugby League Harvey Norman Women's Premiership.
It's a meteoric rise with Josh Addo-Carr-like acceleration.
After winning last year's premiership, Mounties sit undefeated on top of the ladder in 2019 and last week knocked off Cabramatta 24-6 to make it five wins from as many starts.
Phillips, who started playing league tag with Orange Hawks and took up tackle rugby league with the Group 10 side that stormed to last year's Western Women's Rugby League crown, came up with a couple of line breaks and scored a try, too.
The 21-year-old backrower was subsequently named in the Women's Rugby League team of the week, a side incorporating the best performing players from women's competitions across the country.
Ruan Sims, arguably the most recognisable name in women's rugby league, was also named.
Again, this is just 12 months after Phillips first made a tackle, and she's still got the "kamikaze" tackle technique she had back then.
"I need a bit of technique there," she laughs.
"But I love the contact side of it."
That much was clear during Phillips' first crack at rugby league, named player of the grand final and Group 10's best and fairest as well.
That success consumed the hard-running forward and her new-found love with rugby league drove her "outside of the country bubble" she thrived in.
As Phillips puts it, taking the leap was "the best decision I ever made".
That leap involved a 12-hour car trip to be part of an NRL talent Identification Day on the Gold Coast and Phillips impressed, earning an opportunity to be part of the first St George Illawarra Dragons high performance training squad.
She played with Corrimal in the meantime, and helped the Cougars win a title as well, but it's her opportunity with Mounties that's taken her game to new heights.
"Considering they were the premiership winners last year I was pretty lucky to be invited into a side like that," she said.
"The Mounties club is amazing, so professional and so supportive. I've never had coaching like it.
"The difference having a proper pre-season has made to my footy is beyond what I expected."
All in one year, as well.
If Phillips' trajectory continues on such a rapid incline, there's no telling where the James Sheahan Catholic High School alumnus could land.
A shot at the Women's NRL is the goal.
I'll be happy if I get to be the best I can be. I'd be happy with that.
- Kaitlyn Phillips.
"That's the ultimate, whether it happens this year or next year ... I haven't put a time frame on it because there's still so much more I can improve on," she said.
"I just focus on the job I've got to do for the Mounties girls, finishing that year strong and good things will come from that."
She said being named in the team of the week was a "shock".
"I've not had much experience with footy and these girls have been playing for a few years, but I've eased into it well. I think I can get stronger," she adds.
Given footy is now an "obsession" for Phillips, she's bound to.
Mounties train three days a week, with Phillips traveling mid-week to be part of two of those sessions, on Wednesday and Friday, while she also makes game days on Saturday.
During Western's short country championship campaign, Phillips also helped Jess Skinner coach the Rams girls' side and traveled to games there as well - her younger sister Lailee was part of that team.
"It's good, I love the Western girls ... it's exciting to see these young girls trying something new and giving it a crack, and showing them it is possible," Phillips added.
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"If you want it bad enough, you have to go out and get it."
And that's the one thing that's clear when you talk to Phillips - she's extremely driven.
After conceding she "just didn't think of it as a girls' sport" she's now gone from strength to strength, and stopping to pinch herself along the way is just part of the surreal journey rugby league has her on.
She's gone from playing against the west's best to playing alongside the world's best, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
"Simiana Taufa ... she's achieved everything. She's amazing," Phillips said looking at her inspirational Mounties teammate.
"She's a true testament that hard work pays off. I've not met anyone that works harder than her. She trains everyday. She deserves everything she's got and will continue to be the best for a while."
And Phillips?
"I'll be happy if I get to be the best I can be. I'd be happy with that," she smiles.
Phillips' Mounties side will take on the Bulldogs from 5pm on Sunday at Aubrey Keech Reserve, Hinchinbrook.
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