Michelle Heyman locked in on unfinished W-League business with Canberra United

The league's all-time leading goal scorer and reigning Julie Dolan Medallist has signed a new contract with Canberra United to keep her in lime green until the end of the 2021-22 season.

Heyman is the first player signing unveiled by Canberra for the upcoming season as the club looks to build on a return to the finals under Vicki Linton earlier this year.

But 33-year-old star Heyman was missing from the semi-final tilt with an injury, and she is now trying to shake off a niggling hip complaint.

So with Canberra forced into lockdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Heyman is using her time wisely as she kicks off a "pre-pre-season" 12 weeks out from the season opener.

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"It's been tough, it's been a bit of a challenge. It's a good thing for us to be able to have something to do within our hour outside," Heyman said.

"I've been starting to do a lot of road runs and trying to just build up that aerobic energy, because it's something I needed to improve on ... [and] rehab work, trying to fix that hip I hurt last season.

"It's a bit grindy. I did a lot more damage than the world knew. It is just taking a little while longer to get back. I did manage to get a few games under my belt [with Gungahlin United in the Capital Football Premier League].

"Running is fine, but it's just kicking sometimes, I can feel it. That might be my new hip and it's just something that I have to manage and deal with at the moment.

"Sarah Kelly, our physio, is just unbelievable. I've been going to see her every fortnight to make sure everything is ticking over, doing well, and just trying to fix it as best as we can at the moment."

More signings are on the horizon for United with Canberra desperate to go deep into the finals after ending a four-year exile last season.

"Every team wants to be in the finals. There was a period of time with Canberra United when we didn't know how we were going to get out of it to hit finals again," Heyman said.

"Last season, Vicki really believed in us. She started from the get-go, trying to get that family vibe back in Canberra United and it was so positive.

"You can feel that energy on the field, we all do play for each other, we train harder for each other, we push each other so we can become finals footballers.

"What's the point of playing if you're not going to hit the finals? We all want to be trying our hardest to get there."

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