The long-time Port Fairy midcourter wants to remain involved with the Hampden league club she represented across a 388-game A grade career.

Dwyer, 43, implored people to support their clubs after coronavirus denied them a chance to compete in 2020.

RELATED: Age no barrier for 350-game netballer

"Who knows what country footy and netball will look like in the future after corona but clubs and their communities need to keep as many of their players as possible," she said.

"Now is the players' turn to give back for all the years committees, volunteers and sponsors have given to the clubs to keep them all afloat and provide the ability to play the games we love."

The break also gave Dwyer, a mother-of-two, a chance to weigh up her playing future.

Ultimately she decided the time was right to step aside as a player with junior development to become her main focus.

"I think as you get older it's very hard to manage your body and netball-specific muscles and movements, you can't replicate that," Dwyer said.

"I haven't injured myself, it's all just wear and tear. With an older body, trying to get yourself back up after a year off would be twice as hard and I wouldn't like to finish netball getting stretchered off or by doing a major injury.

"I have finished on my terms which is good."

Dwyer, who grew up playing for Bessiebelle and had a stint at Heywood, arrived at Port Fairy in 1998.

She went onto become a premiership player in 2016 and a nine-time Seagulls' best and fairest.

But it's the friendships which stand out; she also met her husband Dean through the club.

"Some people might think netball is all about winning trophies, premierships and medallions but that's not the number one reason why I play sport or be involved in a club," Dwyer said.

"There's so many other things to me that are more important - playing a game you love, being around people that are like-minded.

"A footy-netball club is an extended family and it's something we're lucky to have in the country. It is the heart and soul of most towns."

Dwyer loved how netball allowed her to play with and against players.

She featured in interleague and state league competitions throughout her decorated career.

"You are playing some of these girls on a Saturday when they play for their clubs and they're your opposition but then you're also friends," she said.

"When the game is over everyone respects each other.

"We're all competitors but we're all there because we love the game."

The Dwyers live a drop-punt away from Gardens Oval.

"I have best of both worlds - I have my other love which is the surf club on one side of the house and the footy-netball club on the other side," she said.

Dwyer, who admitted the decision to retire was "hard" and took months to reach, is already testing herself in a new sporting pursuit.

"In corona times when everything changed I was a bit lost for a while, the rug gets pulled from underneath you," she said.

"In July for my birthday mum (Bev Bourke) actually bought me a golf membership and a couple of lessons so I have replaced the Gilbert (netball) with a Callaway golf ball."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.