IT will be a massive 12 months for Upper Hunter sportswoman Lucy Prudden if she manages to replicate - if not better - her triumphs of 2019 next year.
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Despite suffering a serious injury in her last hit-out of the season, as a member of the Merriwa Magpies premiership-winning Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League Women's 11s side, the talented athlete was still grinning from ear-to-ear.
The 34-6 victory followed personal success on a number of levels in different codes.
Prudden also represented the Murrurundi Mavettes in the league tag grand final, finishing runners up to the Scone Thoroughbreds, as well as Group 21 and Greater Northern Tigers in the tackle format, with the latter squad contesting the NSW Country Championships.
Not to be outdone, the 23-year-old took the field for Central North Rugby Union in the sevens and 15s NSW Country Championships, too.
She then earned a berth in the NSW Country Corellas, which faced both Sydney Blue and Sydney Gold in the Chikarovski Cup at Narrabeen less than two months ago.
"It's been a really good year," Prudden said.
"But, I've worked hard to get where I am - and put myself into those positions.
"I train six/seven days a week and hit the gym daily; that's on top of my footy commitments.
"So, I'm very grateful to everyone who's helped me out."
For the past six weeks, she's fine-tuned her skills with the Magpies, who registered their 12th consecutive win in the Group 21 11s competition last Friday night at Muswellbrook's Olympic Park.
Prudden iced that result by kicking five conversions.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the girls," she said.
"They're a tight-knit group.
"And, we busted our butts because everyone in that side wanted to be better.
"I've played a lot of rep footy [this season], so I relished the opportunity to be around like-minded girls.
"Coach Matt Morgan deserves a big rap, too - he was awesome.
"Full credit to Murrurundi as well, the Mavettes had a great tournament.
"However, we were just more determined."
Even though she's in a cast at the moment, after fracturing her thumb and wrist, Prudden's set her sights on bigger things in 2020.
She's already been named in the Greater Northern Tigers academy in readiness for next season's NSW Country Championships.
"The selectors want to give us more time to prepare for it, which can only be a good thing," she said.
"I have to go through rehab first.
"It's been a full-on year for me, so I guess this [the injury] is my body's way of saying I need a break.
"But, my goal is to try and make the Country squad.
"I know it will be tough to get in, there is so much younger talent around these days due to the popularity of the sport, and the emergence of the NRL Women's Premiership.
"However, I'm prepared to work hard again.
"Being in a rep team opens up more opportunities and, for me, more personal motivation to succeed."
