For 21-year-old Ally Bullman, Saturday’s clash against Mounties will be more than just another game; it will mark her long-awaited club debut for the Illawarra Steelers after a gruelling injury setback.
Head coach Jamie Szczerbanik describes her as “the ultimate professional,” praising her dedication through rehabilitation after suffering a serious ankle injury in a preseason trial.
“It’s a long way to debut for Ali after injury during the preseason trial, but everything she’s done to get herself to this week and make herself available, she doesn’t miss a session. She doesn’t skip anything,” he said.
Raised on Sydney’s northern beaches, Bullman’s path to rugby league began in secret, tackling boys at the local park in her school uniform despite her mother’s fears.
“I always wanted to play footy my whole life, but my mum was always really scared,” Bullman explains.
“I played soccer until I was 14, and behind my parents’ back, I would go to the park and tackle the boys in my private school uniform, I’d wreck it and rip the tights. When she found out, she put me into footy to learn how to tackle properly,” she said with a laugh.
Comeback kid
Bullman says persistence is just part of who she is.
“I think it’s just in me to keep showing up. I’ve been through a few injuries, so this one was a walk in the park,” she said.
She underwent surgery for a high-grade syndesmosis injury just six weeks ago, but has remained actively involved, studying game footage and maintaining her passing skills during recovery.
“Scissors (Szczerbanik) has been giving me this footy I can throw against the wall so I can keep passing, and I just make sure I do my video on the game to keep track on new plays,” she explained.
Before joining the Steelers, Bullman played for the Sydney Roosters in the Tasha Gale Cup and had a short stint with the Seagulls in the BMD Premiership before injury ended her season.
She also captained the NSW Schoolgirls and represented Australia in the inaugural Australian Schoolgirls side.
“That was such a cool experience, probably one of my favourite moments in my career so far. Playing for your country, wearing the Aussie jersey, that’s cool,” she said.
Now, after months on the sideline, she’s eager to make an impact coming off the bench against Mounties.
“I just have a fire lit in my stomach, I’m hoping I can make a big impact when everyone else around me is getting tired and I can really show them what my skills are,” she said.
Eyes on the prize
Her sights are set firmly on the future, ideally the NRLW, and perhaps with the Dragons.
“I’d like to play for the Dragons. I think they’re building something really cool there with Crossy (NRLW Dragons Coach Nathan Cross), Piggy (Mark Riddell) and Sammy (Sam Bremner),” she said.
“The girls are all my age, and I’ve played against a few of them, so it would be cool to get involved in that system.”
But for now, Saturday’s game is about reconnecting with her teammates and finally wearing the Steelers colours in competition.
“It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt like I’ve belonged in a club. Through this injury, I’ve laughed, and I’ve smiled ten times more than I’ve cried, just purely because of the culture here,” she said.
“I’m just so excited to be back with the girls and do the captain’s run with them. I can’t wait.”
Words | Angelina Raula