A-League Women’s: Kyah Simon returns to Central Coast Mariners after 438 days out with multiple serious injuries

Kyah Simon has spent the past year and a half recovering from multiple injuries but now, having returned to the field, she has documented the mental, physical and emotional rollercoaster.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Chloe Logarzo of Western United takes a free kick during the A-League Women round 14 match between Melbourne City and Western United at City Football Academy, on January 25, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Chronic pain, mental health issues, insomnia – Kyah Simon has revealed she came close to packing up her boots during her 438 day rehabilitation from a torn ACL, MCL, meniscus and four calf tears.

Simon, who was part of the Matildas World Cup side despite her lingering injury, has finally made her return to the field with A-Leagues’ side Central Coast Mariners, more than a year after tearing her ACL while playing for Tottenham in the English WSL competition.

The nature of Simon’s injury woes had been kept mostly under wraps – with Football Australia never revealing why the star shooter never took the field during the Women’s World Cup – other than she had suffered a “set back” in her recovery from her ACL injury.

Kyah Simon returns to the field for the Mariners for the first time in 438 days. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Central Coast Mariners had confirmed that Simon’s delayed return was due to a torn calf muscle.

After making her 10 minute stint on the pitch at the weekend, in the Mariners 2-0 win over the Jets, Simon took to social media to explain the true nature of the battle she had faced.

“Wow, where to even begin. 483 days after tearing my ACL, MCL & Meniscus, back playing the game I love so much again,” her post read.

“To be completely honest I doubted I would ever get here, I lost count of the times this rehab broke me, mentally, physically and emotionally.

“Frustrations of chronic pain in my knee, barely sleeping for the first three months from the discomfort, numerous specialist appointments, scans, injections, tearing my calf four times during the rehab, and heartbreakingly one of them happening right at the start of the World Cup.”

Simon said the journey had taken a massive toll on her mental health and said not talking about it was her way of coping. Especially missing out on a chance to play at the World Cup after putting so much effort into the rehab.

“It was difficult to fathom, working the hardest I ever have, doing all the right things in my power to get myself back on the park, but there just seemed to be set back after set back,” she wrote.

“There’s only a couple of people who know the full extent of the past 15 months.

“I didn’t give many public updates as there were so many uncertainties at every corner and I myself was living day to day, trying to stay afloat mentally and not give up.

Kyah Simon with fans post game after her return to the Mariners. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

“I got to the point of being so exhausted talking about my injuries, my set backs, then another set back, and another, I shut-out a lot of those conversations to avoid speaking about it and reliving that feeling of disappointment all over again.

“But here I am, we made it and with that being said thank you to the people who checked in on me, not just as a footballer, but as a person, those who continued to support me through the tough times, even without the clarity, you stuck by me and I appreciate you more than you know.”

Simon said she wouldn’t have been able to get back on the field without the help of so many people, including the Matildas’ physios, the Mariners physio and the club for “trusting in me and giving me the opportunity to come home and play for you”.

She also thanked her partner Faye (Bryson), who also joined Mariners this season.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without you, I love you so much,” Simon wrote.

FRINGE MATILDAS MAKE STRONG CASE FOR NATIONAL RECALL

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson could have a selection headache on his hands if the national team qualify for the Olympics next month with several capped players currently not in his book impressing in the A-Leagues.

Regular Matildas Cortnee Vine and Tameka Yallop are carving up the league – proving they are more than ready for next month’s home and away qualifier series with Uzbekistan.

But Western United’s Chloe Logarzo, Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik, Elise Kellond-Knight and Alex Chidiac have all made strong cases to be recalled to the squad for Paris.

Logarzo, Gielnik and Kellond-Knight all missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup with injuries.

Western United have had an up and down season so far but Logarzo finding her form has steadied the ship and put them back in contention for finals football.

Unlike the lead up to the World Cup Logarzo has played more than 1000 minutes of football this season. She has scored five goals and recorded two assists. Her work rate on the field has been impressive and her technical skills have fooled many defenders.

Gielnik, is not long back playing decent minutes after an extended time on the bench with her injury. She has proven she doesn’t need to play a full match to have an impact but if her return continues she will be a force to be reckoned with come the end of the season.

Kellond-Knight has been a driving force for Victory so far this season. Her vision, technical ability and speed have not been hampered by her Achilles injury.

Chidiac was part of the World Cup squad but given limited minutes. And dropped from the squad before being recalled as an injury replacement.

Her ability to adapt so quickly to a new team, after making the move back to Victory, is credit to how versatile a player she is.

Chidiac is getting the most consistent game time she has had in years after several seasons in America.

She has one goal from her first five matches and clearly has her groove back.

While working their way into the smaller squad of 18 allowed at the Olympics won’t be easy, these A-Leagues stars are certainly doing their best to make Gustavsson unless keeps an eye on them.

Chloe Logarzo has made a strong case to be recalled to the Matildas squad. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

COMEBACK TIME

Western United have sent a clear message to the rest of the A-Leagues women’s competition – we want the title.

The Melbourne outfit joined the competition last year and narrowly missed the minor premiership before losing the grand final against Sydney FC.

They had a rocky start but their 3-1 win over competition leaders Melbourne City proves they are on the rise. City have lost just three of their 14 matches this season.

It is the first time all season the Western United have celebrated back-to-back wins.

While it could be a coincidence their new run of form has synched with Chloe Logarzo finding her feet in the A-Leagues this season.

The midfielder has rightly needed time to get her groove back after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with an ACL injury.

Logarzo was a standout for Western United against City – having an involvement in every play and chance at goal.

Western United are now on 23 points, just six behind Melbourne City.

Courtney Newbon made a crucial save. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

LUCKY ESCAPE

Melbourne Victory’s goalkeeper Courtney Newbon has helped keep Melbourne Victory within reach of finals football – making five crucial saves against a determined Sydney FC. The match ended 1-1 – with a penalty getting Victory on the scoresheet.

Newbon survived the never-ending onslaught from Sydney FC who had 23 shots on goal to Victory’s 7.

If Sydney had been more accurate and composed in front of the net they could have easily added two, three or even four more goals to their tally. A loss would have been a massive blow to Victory’s chances to play finals football.

After some solid performances early on in the season, Victory have struggled with just one win in their last five outings. They are now 10 points behind competition leaders Melbourne City. With clashes with Brisbane Roar, Central Coast and Western Sydney all approaching Victory need to lift their game if they want to get back in the top 6.

✍️ We're excited to announce the signing of Junior Matildas Captain, Shelby McMahon, for the remainder of the @aleaguewomen season!

Welcome to City, Shelby 🩵

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 24, 2024

McNAMARA’S REPLACEMENT NAMED

Melbourne City has finally filled the gap in their squad list left by the devastating ACL injury to Holly McNamara – signing teenage sensation Shelby McMahon.

McMahon, just 15, is the captain of the Junior Matildas and plays for the Gold Coast Knights in the NPL.

McNamara, who had been in fine form tore her ACL in November, just days after being named in the Matildas squad for the December friendlies with Canada.

This stint with City, which is at this stage only until the end of the season, will give McMahon her first taste of professional club football.

Originally published as A-League Women’s: Kyah Simon returns to Central Coast Mariners after 438 days out with multiple serious injuries