She was a standout for them this year, but Moree's Ash Walker might not be the only northern product featuring for the Hunter Wildfires next year if Brooke Saunders gets her wish.
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The Quirindi native and former Wallaroo would love to see more of the region's talent pulling on the teal, white and brown.
Fresh from coaching the Wildfires to the Jack Scott Cup Division 2 title, Saunders has already turned her thoughts to next year and, well aware of the talent running around in the local competitions, is looking to tap into that.
"We want to build the Wildfires name across the region," Saunders said.
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There are already plans for a tour early next year, which would see the Wildfires playing at Quirindi.
She also wants to host clinics.
This year was the Wildfires' first year in the Sydney competition and Saunders has her fingers crossed they will be invited back next year, recognising how important it is for the growth of the 15s game in the Hunter and wider region.
"Realistically we were able to have all of our players week in and week out playing against Wallaroos and Super W players," she said.
"And you could see how their games developed. Over the season their skills improved."
It also gave the women's game in the region a bit more of a presence.
There were "more eyes watching" and seeing "what we are able to do".
After getting somewhat of a surprise second taste of top level rugby with the Melbourne Rebels in this year's Super W competition, Saunders', who was part of the 2014 World Cup squad and earned three caps for the Wallaroos', focus is now very much on the coaching side of things.
"I'm done, I've retired," she said.
"I think I prefer to just coach and lead more from the sideline."
"Hopefully I can get my Level 3 in the next couple of years."
The Wildfires role came after she was named the 2019 women's coach of the year for the Newcastle competition after taking on a player-coach role with the combined Easts/Newcastle University side.
Prior to that she had coached the Arizona State Uni team during her two year posting in the US.
She said coaching the Wildfires to the premiership was "pretty amazing".
"It was a great feeling," she said.
