Desmond played five seasons for the Maitland Pickers, Hunter Stars and North Newcastle in the Sydney Metropolitan Women's Rugby League competition.[3] She also played for the Aberglasslyn Ants.[2][4] In early 2017, she represented the Singleton Greyhounds rugby league nines team, winning the Group 21 Rugby League nines title,[5][6] before playing for the Newcastle Knights in an exhibition nines match against the Cronulla Sharks.[7] Later that year, playing for North Newcastle,[6] she was selected to represent the New South Wales Country women's side against New South Wales City.[8] Desmond also spent some time in coaching, after she was kept on the sidelines for extended periods due to injuries.[3] In 2021, she represented the Newcastle Maitland Region Knights side, winning the NSWRL Women's Country Championships final.[9] In November 2021, she signed with the Newcastle Knights to be a part of their inaugural NRLW squad.[10]
In round 1 of the delayed 2021 NRL Women's season, Desmond made her NRLW debut for the Knights against the Parramatta Eels,[11] scoring a try in the Knights' 12-13 loss.[12] She played in 4 matches for the Knights, scoring one try, before parting ways with the club at the end of the season.[13]
