There's nothing more frustrating for a professional athlete than to be sidelined after injury.
This was exactly how Bendigo Spirit's Becca Tobin started the 2019-20 WNBL season.
The second year import was sidelined after a knock to the head during the team's training session before the season-opener against the Melbourne Boomers.
But after a few weeks on the bench, Tobin is now back on the court and firing on all cylinders.
"I had never been concussed before. I felt like I could definitely play, but I knew something didn't feel right," Tobin said.
"So it was better for me and the team to take the extra precaution to make sure I was 100 per cent healthy before I got back on the court."
Tobin was sidelined until last Friday's game against the Lightning, where the Spirit locked down their home court at the Bendigo Stadium to secure the second win of the season, final scores 67-54.
Tobin may have been bench-ridden for a few games, but it only took seconds after the starting buzzer for her natural athleticism to return to form.
Tobin shot 12 points and took 12 rebounds to secure a double-double.
"I was super excited to hit the court and we got the win which made it even better," Tobin said.
"I felt really comfortable out there with the team."
Upon reflection of her own performance, Tobin believed there was always room to enhance her ability on the court.
"There's a bunch of things I am going to work on to get back into game shape, but the weekend was definitely a good start," Tobin said.
Following the match against Adelaide, the spirit travelled to Melbourne to play the Southside Flyers, and went down by 13-points, final scores 80-93.
The team is now preparing for a re-match this weekend against Adelaide with a trip across the country to South Australia.
"It's definitely going to be a tough match. Adelaide will come out for redemption and will want to get the win," Tobin said.
"All we need to do is focus on our defence and do what we do best which is what makes us the Bendigo Spirit."
The 2019-20 seasons is Tobin's second with the Spirit, in addition to playing with the Bendigo Braves in the 2019 NBL1 season.
"I love living out here in Bendigo, it has such a great community," Tobin said.
"I've been adopted by an Aussie family who have become kind of like a family away from home," Tobin laughed.
Bendigo Spirit v Adelaide Lightning on Saturday at Titanium Security Arena in South Australia. Tip-off 7pm.
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