Ferguson Cup: Teenage star is enjoying her chance to play with the Bathurst Bulldogs

The 16-year-old is believed to be the youngest player to ever pull on a Bathurst Bulldogs jersey as part of their open women's side and not only does she test herself against the finest in the Central West, but she fills the key role of halfback.

For many players, let alone a teenager, coming into a side that has won four consecutive premierships might be daunting.

Though Craig admits it was initially "scary because there are some really good players in the team", in the main she views the opportunity to be a Bulldog and compete in the Ferguson Cup as exciting and a way to develop.

"I was really keen to do it. I trained with them for a bit last year when I was 15 and not old enough to play, everyone was really nice," Craig said.

"It is really good to be a part of that side.

"I've been trying to talk more, I think I'm getting better at it, the five-eighth usually does some of the talking because I'm still nervous, but yeah, I think I'm getting better.

"My game has definitely improved, definitely. With the boys I wasn't on the starting side.

"I love tackling, I was always on the smaller side growing up so I learned to tackle with the right technique and I've also gotten better at it. I love getting to tackle the bigger girls."

READ MORE: Bathurst Bulldogs tighthead prop Bailey Warren leading team's pack

READ MORE: Blowes Cup: The five things we've learned from the opening third of the season

READ MORE: Tom Hooper makes his Super Rugby debut for the ACT Brumbies

As Craig mentioned, playing union alongside boys has been part of her brief but impressive career to date.

She was first inspired to join the sport by Jakiya Whitfeld, the Bathurst talent who has gone on the represent Australia in rugby sevens.

It also helped that her father David is a union nut, having represented Queensland in his junior years.

"I was friends with her [Jakiya's] little brothers so I thought 'Why not?'. I joined the boys team and I was the only girl when I first started. I was in Year 6, so I was 12," she said.

"I've been playing some sevens rugby in Sydney, I play for Manly at the moment and I've played for Gordon once and then just some other sides that have been put together at the last minute for tournament.

"I'm playing Shute Shute Shield at the moment, it's only in the second division though, that's for Manly."

Even in 2019 when Craig and her family moved to the United States of America, she continued to play both club and representative rugby.

"The rugby wasn't as good, so it wasn't too competitive," she said. "But the club was only 15 minutes from where I lived, so it was good."

This season as well as making her senior debut for the Bathurst Bulldogs, she represented the Central West under 16s side in the 15-a-side Country Championship.

Craig impressed enough at that tournament to earn selection as the NSW Country halfback for her age division. That's another challenge which, when talking about it, sees the teenager's face light up.

"It's really serious. We've got a camp next weekend which is really exciting," she said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: