But now the Newcastle Open Netball Championship finals are here, she is itching to get on court.

Tresidder has been with Souths since the club formed six seasons ago.

She was on court for their championship wins in 2014 and 2015 but was forced to watch as they made it a threepeat last year after having a knee reconstruction midway through the year for a season-ending injury.

“I’ve been working really hard on my recovery but I’ve been with the team the whole step of the way, training since the start and just building my game so I would be ready for the finals,” Tresidder said.

“At first I thought, I’ll just be a back-up player. Now it’s so close to the finals I want to be in it so bad.”

The 45-year-old goal shooter returned to the court in the second half of the season.

“I got back with one quarter then I played a half then three quarters then a full game, then I played a quarter in our last game,” Tresidder said.

“[Coach] Trude [Yen] doesn’t give much away but she knows I’m ready and she knows I’m willing and I’m keen and that we’ll all get on and give 100 per cent.

“If I’m on the sideline I’ll still be proud to be a part of this team and I won’t be at all worried, but if I take that court I’ll trying so hard.”

Tresidder players alongside younger sister Tiffany Gilmour for Lions. Gilmour and Souths midcourter Narelle Eather are both former national league players.

“I absolutely love playing with my sister,” Tresidder said.

“I look up to her even though I’m the eldest. To have her on the court with me, she tells me to drive and I just want to do it and she pushes me to be as good as I can be and I love that also with Narelle Eather.

“That’s why I keep coming back because I feel like I’ve got unfinished business. I did not want to finish my season going out with a knee reconstruction.”

Souths play minor premiers West Leagues Balance in the major semi-final at National Park on August 19. The winner advances straight to the grand final on September 2.

The Lions went down 68-31 when the two sides met in round one then turned the tables on Wests in a 42-36 round-eight victory.

The loser will meet BNC Whanau in the do-or-die preliminary final on August 26.

BNC downed an understrength Forsythes Business Advisors 45-36 in the minor semi-final on August 12.

All finals are at 2.30pm.