Main photo: Marisa van der Meer \u2026 \u2018I\u2019m ready to go again.\u2019<\/p>\n
She is \u201csuper thrilled\u201d to be back with the Phoenix.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve obviously had time to focus on other areas of my life and start a career, which has been awesome,\u201d van der Meer said. \u201cBut football has definitely been the missing link and I\u2019ve been wanting to get back to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a big 18 months of rehabbing by myself and finding the joy again in football.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the first time I did the ACL I was very determined for the rehab to really get back stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second time was a setback and mentally there was a small period I was thinking about having to go through it all again.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think I always had the drive to get back and I\u2019m still young so I was determined during my rehab to get myself back on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now I\u2019m ready to go again.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Marisa-van-der-Meer.png\"\/)
Marisa van der Meer \u2026 has overcome two serious injuries to make comeback.<\/p>\n
She returned to football with Lotto NRFL Women\u2019s Premiership side Western Springs in July and made seven appearances.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt so good to be back. It obviously felt like I haven\u2019t done this in a while, but it was really good. I was beaming. I had a huge smile my face.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been good playing as a centre back and getting on the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a real focus of mine to work on my game in possession; getting comfortable again playing those forward passes and being brave on the ball which has progressed with each game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoyed the team environment at Western Springs and with Katie Duncan coming in as head coach it was nice to get an ex-Football Fern\u2019s perspective on things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first ACL rupture denied van der Meer the chance to make her Football Ferns debut, and she is determined to get back in the national team environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been an ambition and a goal of mine. I\u2019ve had the opportunity to be in and around those spaces but I\u2019m still looking for my first cap.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Bev-Priestman-1.png\"\/)
Bev Priestman \u2026 \u2018She was a real asset\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such an honour to represent your country so for sure that\u2019s always at the back of the mind when you\u2019re in the gym, you\u2019re training and getting through the rehab. It definitely kept me motivated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely still a goal and having that there is important but I\u2019m focusing on what I can do every day from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman says van der Meer has earned her new contract after working tirelessly over the past 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt speaks to Marisa\u2019s character to have come back from two ACLs in the way that she has,\u201d Priestman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd speaking to her, she is incredibly motivated to achieve both our club goals and also her own personal goals, such as representing the Football Ferns, which is the hunger and desire you want from your players.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was a real asset when she played for the Phoenix previously and I got the chance to see her play for Western Springs recently in person as well as reviewing other game footage.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarisa is very good in the air, good on the ball and also loves to defend which I think is an asset that you want in any centre back.\u201d<\/p>\n
How the Phoenix squad is shaping<\/p>\n
The Phoenix have 21 players confirmed for their women\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n
Under contract are Marisa van der Meer, Pia Vlok, CJ Bott, Tiana Jaber, Sabitra Bhandari, Grace Jale, Mackenzie Barry, Aimee Danieli, Vic Esson, Manaia Elliott, Olivia Ingham, Daisy Brazendale. Ela Jerez, Luc\u00eda Le\u00f3n, Emma Main, Ella McCann, Ella McMillan, Tessel Middag, Lara Wall, Ellie Walker and Alyssa Whinham.<\/p>\n
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