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Sharelle McMahon shoots for the Vixens - Source: Photosport
One of Australia's finest sportswomen has not finished tormenting the Silver Ferns just yet.
Contrary to popular opinion, not only will Sharelle McMahon launch her long-awaited comeback with the Melbourne Vixens next year, but the legendary shooter has revealed a strong desire to extend her distinguished 14-year international career.
Those New Zealand netball fans who thought they had seen the last of the tenacious 34-year-old in a gold dress will be disappointed, but if we are sincere, her wish to return to the elite arena will be welcomed. She deserves a fitting farewell, to bow out on her own terms with bells, whistles and Champagne, not on a stretcher.
McMahon's dream of playing in the fourth world championship and securing a third gold medal was cruelly shattered by a ruptured Achilles tendon last April. Many predicted her Australian playing days were over.
However, she viewed the injury as a comma, rather than a full stop, on her 118-test appearances. Life beyond the goal circle, and her yearning for a family, can wait, for now.
"I had some thoughts of how it would be nice to finish my career and it definitely didn't involve being carried off the court with a snapped Achilles tendon," she told the Sunday Star-Times.
"That is definitely partly why I want to give the Australian team another shot. After having such great experiences over my career, I don't want that to be my last memory of being on court.
"I know there were a lot of people who were asking whether it was the end of my career. I'm not ready for that yet. It didn't come to into my thinking much."
When New Zealand's nemesis takes the court for the Vixens next year, ending her arduous 11- month recovery, it will be with one eye on the series against the Ferns in September.
She lives for that rivalry. Given her competitive, nuggety attitude, McMahon's aspirations should not surprise. By no means is she cowed by the task of ousting incumbent shooters Natalie Medhurst and Caitlin Bassett, and few would back against her at least making the squad. Experience is invaluable, and she has already sat down and had the green light from new coach Lisa Alexander.
"She [Alexander] said that her thoughts are open to me getting back in the team, depending on form. That's really great to hear," McMahon said.
"There's a lot that has to happen before I do make it back in the team. They've won a world championship without me, so I'm certainly not expecting to walk straight back in.
"I'd have to be playing extremely well throughout next season."
Interestingly, should she make it back into the national team, McMahon will not seek reappointment as captain.
Former skipper Liz Ellis started a tradition of engraving a necklace pendant with her initials and years as leader and passing it on when her time was up.
"I did the same to Nat [Natalie von Bertouch] when I handed it over to her. Symbolically, and literally, I was handing the captaincy over to her. Unless something drastically changes, I think that's how it will stay.
"Nat has rightfully taken over the captaincy. For me, that is not the focus."
If McMahon can regain form, you can be sure she will, again, cause New Zealand angst.
