Weeks after she helped the Australian team win the World School Sevens tournament Ulladulla's star rugby union player Lily Murdoch still glows.
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The Australian side defeated the Japanese team 21-12 in the final and Lily said it was something she would always remember.
"It was a dream come true and you always dream of pulling on that Australian jumper," she said.
She described her feelings as being surreal and exhilarating.
"I am still a bit speechless," she added.
The Australians, in New Zealand, were the dominant team and won all of its six matches.
Given the strength of the Australian team and that only 12 of the 14 players selected for the tournament got to play each match, including the final, Lily did well and was a key player.
She got a fair bit of game time - including four minutes in the final.
"I did not score a try in the final but I set one up," the proud Ulladulla product said.
Lily can play either fly-half or centre.
She prefers playing a bit wider out in the centres.
"I like being in the centres the most because of my running game," she said.
"The centres gives me more of an option to get one-on-one with an opponent."
Lily can beat her opponent with pace and power but has another attacking option to call upon.
"I think my skill with the ball is the main strength of my game. I like to think I can throw a nice long ball," she said.
Lily's long passing game put the strong Australian wingers in the clear and over the line many times during the tournament.
It was a successful and long year for the star local rugby union product.
She sat the HSC and was a member of the University of Canberra's 30-woman squad for the Aon University 7s competition.
The Aon University 7s tournament went for four months and Lily needed to travel to Canberra regularly for training.
Lily, after such a busy 2019, was feeling the strain.
"I am having a break at the moment because I was feeling a bit burnt out," she said.
She said being part of the World School Seven winning team was a rewarding way to end the year.
Lily will be studying media/communications at the University of Canberra this year and once rested will no doubt be looking forward to another successful year on the footy field.
