GIANTS defensive whiz Bec Bulley remains undecided over whether she will extend her comeback to the international arena, but that ball appears very much in her court given her form in a stunning return to netball’s top-flight this season.
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The Woonona resident announced her retirement following the Diamonds’ successful 2015 World Cup campaign, having also won a championship with the Queensland Firebirds.
Her and husband Randall have since welcomed baby Indie into the family and Bulley hadn’t contemplated a return to elite netball until Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald launched an SOS following a preseason injury to Kristiana Manu’a.
“I was actually really surprised how quickly I was able to come back and play like my old self before having a baby,” Bulley said.
“I hope I’ve shown that you can do it successfully and combine being an athlete and being a mum, and I really hope I’ve inspired some other young mums to come back and play sport, particularly at the elite level.”
With Indie along for the ride, thanks to support from Netball NSW, Bulley has quickly re-emerged as one of the league’s premier defenders. It’s prompted the likes of Liz Ellis to call for her inclusion in the Diamonds squad for the end-of-year Internationals. It’s not a decision a Bulley expected to face when she returned to the court in January.
“I was really just worried about not embarrassing myself,” Bulley joked.
“[Possible Diamonds selection] has really come out of left field, I wasn’t expecting to be selected at all.
“I haven’t made a decision about what I’m going to do just yet. I just want to focus on the Giants and play out the rest of this season and see what I decide to do after that.
“I’m actually pretty proud I’ve made it to the end of the season. I’m really enjoying it and I feel like I’ve been playing well. “I’m just really excited now. I love playing finals netball, I love those pressure situations, particularly when you win them. Hopefully it helps the team to have some of my experience there.”
That experience has been invaluable for the Giants, particularly after an ACL tear prematurely ended captain Kim Green’s season after just four rounds.
- SUPER NETBALL
Preliminary final
Saturday (7pm)
MELBOURNE VIXENS v GIANTS
Hisense Arena
TV: Live on Gem
Winner to play Sunshine Coast Lightning in the grand final on June 17