But as an added bonus, the opportunity to turn a few heads and get your name up in lights was there too, given NSWRL women's pathways manager Kylie Hilder was there in attendance.

And there's one name Hilder put in her back pocket following Sunday's grand finals: Lilly Baker.

"She's someone I can see in years to come on those pathways and she'll be playing for an NRL club, for sure," Hilder said.

It's an incredible wrap for someone who's played just one year of contact footy.

But Baker's efforts in helping the Vipers to the WWRL's under 18s crown made an impression on many - not the least of which was her opposition.

Showing little-to-no preservation for herself, Baker threw herself into her work in the middle of the field and led the way for a Vipers' under 18s side deemed for a long time by many good judges to be one of the better young women's sides in the bush.

And, now after just seven games in the black and teal, Baker's name is at the top of that list.

Hilder was thrilled with the level of rugby league on display at Pride Park.

"Because in my job I see a lot of girls playing rugby league, and to see these girls here today ... this is outstanding," she grinned.

"I've been heavily involved with Western when this competition got up and running.

"I was at the grand finals last year and I've seen the development of these girls ... this is what I like to see, we want to start identifying girls in country NSW."

Hilder said with the NRLW's likely expansion in the coming seasons, ensuring the talent being identified to help fill those extra playing rosters was ready to go was part of her role with NSWRL.

"And we're developing pathways so those girls don't have to move out of areas they live in," she added.

"It's about giving them an opportunity to come into a country side, a NSW side play for a NRL club and go on to play for Jillaroos.

"And we've seen that happen this year."

Orange Hawks graduate Kaitlyn Phillips is a prime example out of this region - having only taken up rugby league when the initial WWRL competition took off in 2018.

Phillips debuted for the Sydney Roosters in this year's NRLW competition.

And Hilder expects many of Phillip's Western sisterhood to follow in her footsteps - no doubt she has Baker at the top of that list, too.

"It's not until out come out to days like this and see these girls, there's so much talent out here," she added.