Last season university studies and other commitments meant Siejka was not part of Souths outfit that played in a competition shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not wearing the iconic two blues shirt each Saturday was tough for Siejka to take.

"It was the first time since I was eight that I haven't played a year of hockey," the now 24-year-old said.

"Absolutely I missed it. It was very hard for me to watch posts on facebook, read write ups in the paper and messages from the girls, it was very hard to sit and not be a part of it.

"I didn't miss the Tuesday night training in the cold, but I did miss playing on the Saturday definitely."

So after putting in the work to get her fitness up to scratch in the off-season, Siejka has returned to play for Souths once more this season.

While she admits she pulled up sore after the pre-season gala day, from the smile Siejka has on her face when talking about hockey, it is clear she is glad to be back amongst the Souths playing group.

It's a group she thinks will be competitive and one she hopes will see Souths play their first finals hockey since 2015.

Even thought they lost their season opener 2-1 to newcomers Orange United, Siejka has seen plenty to like.

"I'm very happy to be back. I'm loving it, I can't complain at all, we've got a very good team this year," she said.

"A couple of young girls have come up and honestly, I couldn't complain about any of them. They all rock up to training, they're all keen, they put in the effort.

"They are very much faster than me, but it's good having the numbers because it makes you push yourself to get selected in the team every week. There's no guarantee no matter who you are, it pushes all of us, we are all working hard every week to get our spot.

"Sophie McCauley has, honestly, just come along in leaps in bounds. Every time she gets the ball I'm like 'Oh my God, you're a freak' and she's just so fit."

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Working hard is something which Siejka knows she will have to do this Saturday as Souths face Bathurst rivals St Pat's in round two.

Though the Saints did not play last Saturday - their game with Bathurst City was deferred - Siejka knows they will be tough to beat.

She got a glimpse at what they had to offer at the pre-season gala day, but knows the Saints were understrength then and shape as a more formidable foe this Saturday.

"We played Pat's in the gala day and they had a fair few missing, so that probably wasn't a fair representation of the team we'll play this weekend, none of us will be walking out there on Saturday expecting to take it easy, we know they'll come out fiery," she said.

"We are pretty fired up, we love a local derby and second game in I'm excited to see them."

The rivalry with the Saints is one Siejka has long enjoyed. It is one which involves intense, competitive hockey on the field and friendships off it.

It is also Siejka's favourite rivalry.

"I'm friends with a few people on the other team so that's a bit hard, but I probably hold the Pat's rivalry up there out of anyone else if I'm honest, even over [Bathurst] City," she said.

"We do have a rivalry with City, but that rivalry with Pat's - we always have a good, solid game of hockey with Pat's.

"I remember many, many years ago now we used to do the Spaths Cup, we made up our own cup and put the names Pat's and Souths into one word and played for it.

"It was really good fun, it was an added extra we played for to get us pumped up a bit more. Then we'd catch up at the end of the night, go to the pub and have a few drinks and stuff. They should bring it back."

Siejka will line up at inner for the derby. It is the same role she filled in 2019 and one she enjoys.

"I'm happy to be there, it's somewhere I wanted to be. I really like the challenge of being in that spot because there's so much work to do," she said.

"We've got a really good forward line this year which is quite strong, so I'm happy to be in the inner spot and pass it off to people who are a bit better than me when it comes to scoring goals.

"There are a lot of girls who like scoring, yeah."

Saturday's match at Bob Roach Field will commence at 1.50pm.

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