KOENAN RETURNS TO NQ

SHE has established herself as an integral cog in the Lighting’s line-up, but tonight’s Super Netball clash will arguably be one of the most special for Magnetic Island product, Cara Koenen.

There will be a “little bit of extra pressure” on the 24-yearold’s shoulders, as she plays her first professional game in Townsville in front of the community which fostered her rise to the top of the sport.

Since relocating to the Sunshine Coast, Koenen has gone from strength to strength – being a part of a squad which has made the past three grand finals, winning two of them.

It is a far cry from the player who pulled on the Phoenix entire in the Townsville Premier League, but one which could not have been made if not for the roots she established in North Queensland.

“I think as a regional athlete we had to make a lot of sacrifices to be able to get to where I’m playing today,” she said.

“I wasn’t very good in the early days of me playing, so I feel like it was the coaches and friends I made through those junior years that sparked my love of the game.

“Growing up in Townsville for the first 17 years of my life, it’s a place I hold very dear to my heart.

“I’m going to have a few familiar faces in the crowd cheering me on.

“Not the siblings unfortunately, they’ve all got their own commitments … but mum and dad, Nan, my aunty and uncle will all be there.”

Koenen’s side heads into the penultimate round of the season in second and on track for yet another shot at the title.

Sunshine Coast has already secured its spot in the finals, and the aim of the last few games will be to solidify the chance at either a second crack in the series, or a week off before the decider.

However, while they will be coming up against a Collingwood side who line up in the Indigenous Round clash at the bottom of the ladder, the Lightning goal shooter does not believe standings will play a factor in the results.

If anything, she believes it makes the Magpies a more unpredictable outfit to challenge.