Emma Tonegato on switching from from rugby sevens to NRLW

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

«What really lured me to sevens was the opportunity for Olympic gold and to be a full-time athlete, which at the time, there was nothing in rugby league,» the Dragons fullback said.

«I played rugby league back in the day; the more the NRLW gets in the media, on TV and the game grows, I think it really would be a tough decision for me now.»

Her transition from seven-a-side to 13 has been seamless, since making the code switch the fullback has been a phenomenon for St George Illawarra.

Tonegato's try-saving tackle on the Roosters' Jess Sergis in round five will go down as one of the best defensive efforts of the season and feature on highlights reels for years to come.

«It doesn't seem that special to me, kind of an everyday occurrence in sevens,» she said.

«I was just happy to do my part for the team.»

And that's the standard the 27-year-old has brought to the Dragons with a tackling efficiency of 93 per cent and running and average of 159 metres a game, per NRL.com.

«It's been awesome to play NRLW this year, I have loved being a part of it,» she said.

«Obviously it's a short season – five games – so I'd love for that to be extended.»

Not only extended, but for the women's game to be better resourced.

«You can see every girl that's come from sevens has really excelled at NRL,» she said.

«That shows females really respond to that full-time environment; given the opportunity they'll prove to be awesome athletes.

»Having the opportunity to train professionally and get paid will entice more girls, which will again increase participation and performance."

The reality is