Emma Tonegato won a gold medal for Australia Rugby

Emma Tonegato won a gold medal for Australia in rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics in 2016, however it can have been a rugby league premiership if the pathway existed again then.

"What in reality lured me to sevens became the opportunity for Olympic gold and to be a full-time athlete, which on the time, there was not anything in rugby league," the Dragons fullback stated.

"I performed rugby league lower back in the day; the more the NRLW gets within the media, on TV and the sport grows, I suppose it surely could be a hard choice for me now."

Her transition from seven-a-facet to 13 has been seamless, on account that making the code switch the fullback has been a phenomenon for St George Illawarra. Rugby Sevens 2022 schedule

Tonegato's attempt-saving address at the Roosters' Jess Sergis in round 5 will cross down as one of the first-rate defensive efforts of the season and feature on highlights reels for years to come.

"It would not appear that special to me, sort of an regular prevalence in sevens," she stated.

"I become simply satisfied to do my element for the group."

And it's the usual the 27-12 months-antique has added to the Dragons with a tackling performance of ninety three per cent and going for walks and average of 159 metres a sport, in line with NRL.Com.

"It's been brilliant to play NRLW this year, I actually have cherished being part of it," she stated.

"Obviously it's a short season – 5 games – so I'd love for that to be extended."

Not simplest prolonged, but for the girls's sport to be higher resourced.

"You can see every female that's come from sevens has virtually excelled at NRL," she stated

"Having the opportunity to train professionally and receives a commission will entice more ladies, in order to again growth participation and performance."

The truth is in 2022, the season is simply 5 rounds, plus  semi-finals and a grand very last.

But Dragons captain Kezie Apps consents that the benefit of being able to play and train yr-spherical are clear in players like Tonegato.

"You can tell… how plenty of an exquisite athlete she is and a competitor and I am so glad she's on our team," Apps said.

"Those ladies who come from a full-time system, they may be on this sort of distinct level to us in rugby league. We aren't at that level yet, we're still element time."

Apps said she would be glad to play 25 rounds and finals series, much like the guys's league.

"Wouldn't that be notable? At the moment we're playing finals footy every week due to the fact we can't find the money for to lose.

"That's in reality coming within the destiny, however I'll be long retired, sitting on my living room looking on TV."

St George Illawarra placed on the largest rating and prevailing margin in NRLW history with a forty-4 win over the Newcastle Knights in spherical 4.

The Dragons moved to the pinnacle of the ladder, bumping off the 3-time reigning premiers for the first time in competition history. 

The Dragons and Broncos completed the regular season on same factors, but the lower back-to-returned-to-again premiers claimed the top spot on for-and-in opposition to.

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The Dragons take at the Gold Coast Titans in Sunday's semi-final at Leichhardt Oval, having beaten them in spherical one.

The Broncos take on the Sydney Roosters in the different semi.