It's been a season of development and representative honours for Kaitlyn Phillips so the main focus on Wednesday was fun.
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Phillips, an Orange product who starred with Mounties in the NSW Women's Premiership this year, represented the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Fiji just weeks ago but was back out west on Wednesday evening.
She lined up in the second-row for the Vipers and while she scored a try it wasn't enough as the Wiradjuri Goannas ran out 26-16 winners in the Western Women's Rugby League round four clash.
Phillips struggled at times with the pace of the game and lack of scrums, but overall it was a memorable return.
"It's awesome to be back playing in this area. It's a lot different, this type of footy," she said, before laughing while discussing the main differences.
"They're pretty tough and I'm noticing the difference not having scrums. I think I was blowing out there more than anyone. I'm used to that 20-second breather."
While the WWRL remains modified in some ways given the competition is still in its relatively early days and the structure may not be refined yet, but there's no denying the individual talent in the region.
Phillips is just one player from this region, others being Rhianna Sutherland, Sally Dwyer, and Rikka Lane-Lamb, who have moved on to play at a higher level while there are a host of younger players now finding their way in the tackle format.
"It's just fun footy. There's lots of doing stuff on your own," Phillips said.
"You don't have those structures but it's fun and it gets you in the habit of doing things on your own out there.
"It's tough and I find it tougher than playing in Sydney but it's a lot of fun."
Seeing the up-and-coming players in action was the other major positive for Phillips.
The WWRL expanded this season and matches are now played in the under 13s as well as the under 15s, 18s and opens.
A number of under 18s have been getting plenty of minutes in the senior grade and the development has been clear to see, with the Goannas' own Taneka Todhunter set to trial for the Sydney Roosters Tarsha Gale Cup squad later this month.
"Playing with girls who don't have a lot of experience, it's exciting," Phillips said.
"They're all enthusiastic so it's really good."
The Vipers remain second on the ladder behind the Goannas heading into this weekend.
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