RUGBY League aspirant Rease Casey has made the long trek to find a challenge.

The hard-running 13-year-old Humpty Doo girl has travelled to regional Queensland looking to improve her game and make representative sides — something that cannot be done for girls in the NT.

“I play for Litchfield (Bears) and I’m a prop or second row,” Rease said.

Rease played both girls and boys rugby league this year, such is here love of the game. She said she enjoyed playing against boys.

“It’s easier because boys are little,” the smiling seventh-grader said.

Rease was invited by Australian Jillaroos second row forward Renae Kunst to trial for the Mackay Cutters junior academy, and travelled yesterday to the central Queensland city with her father Steve.

NRLNT, through development officer Trent Gorrie, has assisted the family with the representative mission.

The Mackay Cutters recently added junior girls to their large rugby league academies.

Steve said Rease and the family would continue to fly over to Mackay for matches if selected in the squad.

“It isn’t cheap to go all the way over there for a trial but it gives her something to focus on,” Steve said.

“But she enjoys it and has the talent.”

Brisbane-born Rease is a North Queensland Cowboys fan and supports Queensland in State of Origin. She grew up in a league family and thrived in the game.

“She always wanted to play when I was coaching Brock (Rease’s younger brother),” Steve said.

“I said ‘be a girl for a bit’ but she showed that she had the talent and enjoys playing too much.”

When she isn’t bullocking through defenders in league, Rease enjoys netball and Aussie rules.

“I like AFL, it’s a bit more running and stepping,” she said.

“Netball I can’t run with the ball and get travel (penalty) sometimes.”

Women’s rugby league has increased in profile with the national side, the Jillaroos, shown on national television. Rease said she wanted to improve her game and take her career in league as far as she can.