Matrics netballer and Thunderbirds training partner Emily Burgess returns after rupturing two ACLs

Two knee reconstructions forced Emily Burgess to sit on the sidelines for more than 1000 days. Now the wing defence is back and eyeing another shot in the Super Netball League.

Matrics wing defence Emily Burgess has returned to Premier League netball after more than 1000 days on the sidelines following two knee reconstructions. Picture: Alex Aleshin

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One thousand and fifty-one – that is the number of days Emily Burgess went without lining up in Netball SA’s Premier League.

Matrics’ winning grand final on August 4, 2016 was the last time wing defence featured in the maroon, navy and gold strip.

Two knee reconstructions forced Burgess to sit on the sidelines for the past two seasons and miss Matrics’ 2017 grand final loss to Contax.

But Burgess finally made her return in Matrics’ 83-27 triumph over Newton Jaguars at Netball SA Stadium last month.

She began her comeback from the second round of surgery with Australian Netball League side Southern Force in April before rejoining Matrics.

The 22-year-old says returning to the club – with which she has two titles – means so much.

“It was really special,” Burgess, of Camden Park, says.

“We pride ourselves on our culture at Matrics and I was always looking forward to going back and playing for Matrics.

“That really motivated me to do the rehab and get back.

“I’m from Bordertown so Matrics is like a big a family for me.

“Coming back the second time I did a month of full training before playing any games and it was just about getting my confidence up again.

Emily Burgess in action with the Thunderbirds during their clash with West Coast Fever at Netball SA Stadium in 2017. Picture: Tom Huntley

“It’s been more than 12 months now so I feel like I’m sort of out of the risky period now.”

Burgess had earned a contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2017 and, with the Super Netball season almost finished, she was set to return to Matrics.

But she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a training session with the Thunderbirds on May 25.

She then returned to the court about nine months later with Southern Force before injuring the same knee again – almost exactly a year later.

Emily Burgess during the 2014 Premier League netball grand final between Matrics and Garville. Picture Roger Wyman

“When I did it the first time, I was going for an intercept and then sort of tried to keep the ball in court but didn’t land properly,” she said.

“The second time, I went for a centre pass – it was just unlucky, really.

“The positive was, I knew what to do with the rehab and I knew what I was in for.

“But the hardest thing was probably looking up and knowing it was another season that I’d miss.”

Matrics is second, behind Contax, having lost just one game this season.

Burgess hopes to help the powerhouse win another championship

But her long-term goal is to earn another shot with the Thunderbirds after being kept as a training partner this season.