Anna Flanagan's roller-coaster ride has brought her back to where it all began as the former Hockeyroos golden girl prepares to return to the capital.
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The Canberra Times can reveal Flanagan is set to be a part of a star-studded Canberra Chill outfit to be unveiled on Tuesday morning.
The region's elite hockey players have joined forces under one banner - the Chill - as part of Hockey Australia's radical makeover of the national hockey league, dubbed Hockey One.
Flanagan will join a host of Australian stars in the Chill squad with the likes of Kalindi Commerford and Edwina Bona expected to link up with the squad in the revamped competition.
The two-time Commonwealth Games champion announced her international hockey retirement in February, admitting she was "just ready" to call it quits.
"I'd really prepared myself for this. I do feel sad about finishing up, that this chapter of my life is over," Flanagan said at the time.
"When I initially stopped playing it was hard to get used to full-time work and it is a bumpy transition trying to navigate that.
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"Now it's more about just thinking about the good times. It's obviously been a roller coaster."
But the ride isn't over yet.
Flanagan had struggled to force her way back into the national side following a fall from grace before the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
Her initial retirement saw Flanagan finish her Hockeyroos career after 171 games, 34 goals, one Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, one World Cup silver and a Champions Trophy silver.
But the 27-year-old is not lost to hockey completely as she sets her sights on taking the domestic scene by storm once more.
Flanagan had entertained the idea of turning out in the national league again after helping NSW to the Australian Hockey League title last year.
Now a new beginning for the sport in Australia has led Flanagan back to where it all began.
The national league has been given a major facelift with city-based teams and rule changes paving the way for hockey's answer to cricket's Twenty20 Big Bash.
Games will be streamed, finals will be televised and the competition has been expanded to a home-and-away format, with Canberra waving goodbye to the Lakers and Strikers programs.
HOCKEY ONE
Canberra Chill fixtures
Sunday, September 29: Canberra Chill v Brisbane Blaze at Lyneham Hockey Centre
Saturday, October 5: Canberra Chill v NSW Pride at Lyneham Hockey Centre
Saturday, October 12: Perth Thundersticks v Canberra Chill at Perth Hockey Stadium
Friday, October 18: HC Melbourne v Canberra Chill at Melbourne State Hockey and Netball Centre
Sunday, October 20: Canberra Chill v Tassie Tigers at Lyneham Hockey Centre
Saturday, October 26: Adelaide Fire v Canberra Chill at The Pines, Adelaide
Saturday, November 2: Bye
Saturday, November 9- Sunday, November 10: Semi-finals
Saturday, November 16: Grand final
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
