You may have heard Hopper Anna Avery say in the past that she's played her last season, but there's something about the excitement of the netball court that keeps her coming back.
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"After having last season off I thought my time was probably up," she said.
"Once the season got going I decided I might like to play again, which is something that's happened to me a few times.
"I just started filling in when they were short, and after the first few weeks, I'd played every round either in A, B or C.
"Then I just decided I may as well play, and I'm glad I did."
Tallangatta finished the home and away season in second spot and are equal on points with ladder leaders Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
While finals are on the back-burner for now, Avery knows just how exciting September can be.
She's already claimed two flags with the Hoppers, as well as two Ovens and Murray premierships with Wodonga Bulldogs, one in her first year at the club and one in her last.
Growing up in Coleraine, a town of around 1000, Avery saw her senior netball debut accelerated.
"There wasn't a heap of people coming through, so you got moved through the ranks pretty quickly," she said.
"I got to play at quite a high level when I was young and got exposure to A-grade fairly early."
She also experienced playing in state championships with her school side in Hamilton.
While the 41-year-old has settled in the Tallangatta and District League, she admits it's nice to see former Ovens and Murray players doing the same.
"If you don't want the commitment of Ovens and Murray, I think it's a nice way to keep playing at a decent level and be able to play against those players," she said.
"I love playing with them, I like playing against them less."
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Fellow Hopper Rebekah Ohlin has shared some of the triumphs with Avery, having both also played together for the Bulldogs.
"She's amazing, she's just a workhorse," Avery said.
While the mum of three waits to hear the TDNA's verdict on finals this season, you can find her helping to guide her kids Angus, 12, Lucy, 9 and Sophie, 7 through home learning.
She hopes to see some premiers crowned this season.
"I think it would be really disappointing not to get a result," she said.
"I think about how hard Erika (O'Connell) has worked to keep it all together and keep everyone motivated.
"It's been a tricky season, but I think everyone's just grateful to have some netball after last year."
As for if this will be her last season, that's still undecided.
"My husband (Dave) keeps playing football and he's the same age as me," she said.
"I keep saying we both need to retire, but he doesn't want to.
"I don't like to say I'm finishing, because I've said it 10 times and I keep coming back."
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