STAR centre Gabe Richards will extend her WNBL career into an 11th season, after re-signing with the Bendigo Bank Spirit.
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Richards, a foundation member of the Spirit, has recommitted to the club after enjoying one of her best seasons in the competition.
The 31-year-old averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds and was equal second in the league in blocked shots with 26.
She was one of the league's most prolific scorers and rebounders, despite battling injury for most of the latter part of 2016-16, a season in which the Spirit finished with a 12-12 win-loss record.
This will be Richards' ninth season with the Spirit, who joined the WNBL in 2007.
She had previously played two seasons with the Australian Institute of Sport in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Richards, who represented the Seymour Blasters and Victoria Country as a junior, said she was proud to represent both the Spirit and regional Victoria.
The two-time Spirit championship player has returned to the netball court for BFNL club Golden Square and appears over the injuries that hampered her late in the 2015-16 season.
"I had a tear in my planter fascia towards the end of last season. I probably shouldn't have been playing the last month, but with the possibility of still making finals I pushed through," Richards said.
"Straight after the season I had that fixed through a lot of hard work in rehab and the gym.
"I am back on the netball court with Golden Square now, which I’m enjoying, and looking forward to a strong pre-season with the Spirit and can't wait for the season proper to start."
Richards, a two-time WNBL All Star Five member, said playing in the club's 10 season would be a huge honour.
She has played in all but one of those seasons, recurring knee injuries sidelining her in 2009-2010.
Richards forms part of a formidable front-court duo alongside Kelly Griffin.
Together the pair averaged 33.4 points and nearly 20 rebounds per game.
Richards’ 15.5 points per game were the second best of career. She averaged 15.8 points during the Spirit’s 2012-13 championship winning season.
Coach Simon Pritchard said Gabe was almost in career-best form during 2015-16.
"Her inside work continues to be feared by most clubs," he said
"A number of coaches told me after games last year they knew Gabe's game well, but just couldn't counter it.
"It's always a pleasure to have someone like that on your team, and someone who is as passionate as Gabe.
"She is the Bendigo Spirit in more ways than one."
The Spirit will be without Richards’ best friend Kelly Wilson next season. The point guard advised the club of her departure last week after eight seasons and two championships.
Wilson is the second Spirit star to leave the club during the off-season.
Former Australian Opal Belinda Snell has also moved on.
