As recently as a fortnight ago, Jemma Blair didn't think she'd return for the Tasmania Devils this season.
The 23-year-old damaged multiple ligaments and suffered an avulsion fracture in her right ankle on June 27 after rolling it on a teammate's foot in a marking contest.
She not only returned on Sunday, August 23, but played a crucial role, laying 10 tackles as the Devils defeated Casey by 23 points.
"It was a bit of a shock to the system," she said about the injury.
"I was just starting to find my feet and positioning into the game, so I was pretty happy until that happened.
"It was a bit of a tough situation, but I was head down, bum up, trying to do as much as I could with my rehab, so I'm happy to be back."
Coming into the contest, the Devils labelled this game "redemption round" after Casey defeated the side in its first game back in May.
Blair didn't play in that contest - she made her Devils debut in round four - instead playing six rounds of SFL footy for North Hobart before working her way into the team.
"It took a bit to get in, but as it is, everyone takes their opportunity when it arises, so to be able to get a spot to start after a few games was pretty awesome," she said.
"To have the opportunity to wear the Tasmania Devils guernsey again is something that I was really proud to be a part of, especially in the inaugural season.
"We've got an amazing squad of players, and as we've seen with a few injuries and things, that brings up opportunities for other people to come in and show their strengths and what they're capable of."
Blair began playing football with East Launceston's juniors before graduating to North Launceston's TSLW program and the Devils' Talent League team in 2020.
She then moved to Old Scotch for 2021 and 2022, while also playing 14 matches with the Devils and five with North Melbourne's VFLW team before moving to Queensland from 2023 to 2025.
A return to her home state has seen her reunite with 10 of her former Talent League teammates as Angelica Clark, Claire Ransom, Jemma Webster, Perri King, Candice Belbin, Joey Revell, Kelsie Hill, Emilie Saward, Meghan Gaffney and Maisie Edwards are all in the Devils VFLW squad.
"At the start of the season, especially, it was a bit like a reunion, [it was] about five years ago since we've all played together," she said.
"To come back as a side and also see the growth that those girls that I played with back in the academy have had over the years was pretty cool.
"It allows us to have that extra connection to make a little bit quickly because there's so many of us have already played together."
Playing for the Devils has also allowed Blair to share memorable moments, including the side's inaugural win, with her friends and family - particularly those from the North-East.
Blair grew up in Bridport, attending Bridport Primary, and spent many weekends watching her father Heath play for Scottsdale or Bridport.
"I've always been around football, but never really played it until I moved into Launceston," she said.
"I was always a netballer, but being that small coastal town, it's a pretty cultural thing in regards to football clubs.
"To be able to say I'm representing the North-East and to have Dearne Krushka also from Bridport and Taia Lette from Scottsdale as well is really cool."
The Devils will play their final home game against Western Bulldogs at Windsor Park on Saturday.