Kate's a dual code legend but even she was left 'in awe' by this effort

This is perhaps surprising given she grew up playing netball and made the switch to the oval ball game entirely by chance as an adult.

Since being asked by a friend to play touch football, Gullifer has gone on to become the first woman to reach 50 games for Bathurst Bulldogs and has won three premierships with Panorama Playtpi in the Western Women's Rugby League (WWRL).

But even she was taken aback during the 2024 season.

Not by what she was facing but by what was alongside her.

Gullifer says the continued growth of women's rugby union and league is accelerating to a point where she is floored by the calibre of young talent coming through the ranks, particularly at Platypi.

"In past years if you've had younger girls coming in, you feel as if you want to protect them," she said.

"But when you've got someone like Zoe [Lee] and Meelah [Lawton] and Sarah [Morley], if they're on the outside of you, you're very confident you've got them by your side and that they can hook in.

"I've got Zoe on the outside of me sometimes and I've got her tackling and I'm just watching her tackle instead of helping her because I'm just in awe of those girls really being able to hold their own at, not even 18 years old.

"They're going very well."

Spurred on by a star core and a raft of under 18s stepping up, Panorama cemented their dominance with a fourth-consecutive WWRL premiership by defeating.

One wonders just how highly they will be viewed in history as pioneers of the women's game.

Gullifer had one of her best seasons individually, backing up her selection for Western Rams with a best and fairest accolade for Platypi.

"I was very appreciative because there were so many good players this year, so it was a bit of a shock," she said.

"This was probably my favourite of all of the five seasons that I've played. I was very honoured to have got that [award].

"I think with the way that women's rugby league and rugby union are developing, it's a lot more tactical and lot more tough out there, I think.

"It was a lot more intense, which I enjoyed more."

It's not all celebrations however with her Bulldogs side losing a second straight Westfund Ferguson Cup grand final on the buzzer to Dubbo Kangaroos.

Gullifer said the team was determined to go one better.

'That one hurt," she said.

"The last two grand finals we've lost on the buzzer.

"We're looking to get a few of the other girls back that have been there in previous seasons and have had babies and things like that.

"It'd be good to get the band back together and get as many together as we can.

"But we are definitely very motivated. As a group, I don't think we've ever been so close.

"So I think that'll play a massive part in next year."