Like so many others sportspeople, this year hasn't turned out much like Eloise Hiller-Stanbrook had planned.
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But being forced back to Dubbo from Melbourne because of COVID-19 saw her return to where "my heart lies".
One of the region's premier Australian Rules players, Hiller-Stanbrook had made the move south of the border last year and had earned a training contract with the Carlton AFLW squad while she was also set to play in the VFLW competition.
She was rubbing shoulders with superstars like Tayla Harris but then the pandemic hit and with so many sporting competitions being cancelled Hiller-Stanbrook returned home and again linked up with the Dubbo Demons.
And while there's plenty of differences between the Demons and Carlton, Hiller-Stanbrook has savoured her time at both.
"I love the Demons," she said ahead of this weekend's grand final.
"My heart lies with them so it was so good to see everyone again.
"It's so different to Melbourne but the guys made me feel so welcome."
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After the Demons women failed to have enough numbers to field a team last year, the expectations for the new-look side in 2020 were pretty simple.
It was about developing players and setting a platform for the coming years.
That was the focus but then the side started winning and the new players in the squad started developing faster than many expected.
"I remember when I came back and my first training session was so different because it was just back to basics," Hiller-Stanbrook said.
"We were looking to teach basics but we've clicked so fast and so many of the new girls are naturals.
"They picked it up so fast, I really can't believe it."
The improvement has never been as clear as it has been in recent weeks.
The Demons have put together some of their best performances in the season's latter stages with a strong win over Orange securing a place in the finals and then last week there was a close-fought win over the Bathurst Bushrangers in the semi-final.
Saturday's grand final at Bathurst will see the Demons meet the minor premiership-winning Giants.
Hiller-Stanbrook is one of a handful of Demons players who were part of the 2018 side that defeated the Giants in the grand final but both sides have changed plenty since then.
The Giants have won the two previous meetings between the sides this year but both of those were before the Dubbo side found a new level in the back end of the season.
"We've really clicked in the last couple of weeks and we're playing as a team and have got structure and understanding of each other's movement around the field," she said.
"Hopefully that helps this weekend.
"It's definitely a different mindset and understanding of each other and there's the belief we can do it."
The women's grand final starts at 12.30pm at George Park on Saturday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
