Allansford's Bridget Foster is looking forward to returning to the court in 2022 as just a player.
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Foster has coached the Cats' A grade side for the past three seasons, first taking on the role in 2019.
She said she had no intentions of coaching next season but looked forward to playing for the first time since 2019.
Foster was ready to play in 2020 but due to the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.
She then missed the entire 2021 season because she was pregnant with her second son Tommy, who was born six weeks ago.
The Cats finished last and ninth in the two full seasons Foster coached, winning two and one games in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
The midcourter said she was excited to get back on court.
"I missed playing in the COVID year so I haven't played for two years. I was going to come back after COVID as a playing coach but that didn't go to plan and I missed this year too," she said.
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"I've got a bit of work to do (to get back to playing). I definitely missed it this year."
Foster said returning to top fitness is her goal.
"Fitness is going to be massive thing as the game is getting faster, more competitive and physical," she said.
"Coming from not having played for a couple of years it's going to be a pretty big jump.
"Everyone is getting smarter about the game and a few inclusions of Hampden league players means the sides are getting more competitive."
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The former Nirranda player said the competition had become more even in recent years and expected that trend to continue.
"There was still a couple of stragglers but it was harder to pick the middle bunch and that's a sign it's getting more even," she said.
Foster was pleased to help a number of the Cats' youth improve and hoped they could lead the side into a bright future.
She said the side could also do with some recruits to put it back into finals contention.
"We could do with a couple of fresh faces," she said. "With those juniors and a couple of extra inclusions with experience they'd be be a big improver."
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