Broadmeadow Magic goalkeeper Ruby Jones eyeing Northern NSW NPLW after making her return from injury setback

But the Marks Point 18-year-old has overcome adversity to make an emotional playing return, 10 months after fracturing her skull and sustaining a brain injury.

Jones is no stranger to the mental toughness required to be a goalkeeper.

But a trial match for Broadmeadow Magic at No.2 Sportsground on January 29 could prove the hardest game she will ever play.

Through tears and fears, and in a brave show of mental strength, Jones took the field for a 45-minute effort and is now gearing up for the upcoming Northern NSW National Premier Leagues Women (NPLW) as part of Magic's senior squad.

"I was extremely scared to go on the field, if I'm honest," Jones told the Newcastle Herald.

"It was a super emotional day. It took a little while for me to actually settle my nerves and calm myself down. But I had a lot to do with my feet, which helped my confidence. I was just so grateful to actually walk onto the pitch and anything from that was a bonus."

Jones came through the Emerging Jets program, played for the Junior Matildas in Australia's under-16 women's side and was eyeing a career in A-League Women.

But the talented teenager was left wondering if she would play again after fracturing her skull and damaging the frontal lobe of her brain when struck on the side of the head by an opponent's knee while making a sliding save in an NSW NPLW 2 match for Central Coast Mariners on April 5 last year.

"I personally don't remember it," Jones said. "Apparently, I walked off the field but I don't remember pretty much the whole week I was in the hospital."

Parents Brad and Mandy drove her to nearby Royal North Shore Hospital for a routine concussion test but Jones was in and out of consciousness by the time they arrived. Scans revealed the damage. After one week in hospital, a lengthy recovery period followed.

"It was a lot to take in, to wake up after what had happened and have it explained to me, that I can't learn anything new for three months," Jones said.

"I was devastated for a while. I thought that was my last game and I couldn't even remember it. But, it was probably my first question when I met my brain injury team, 'Am I allowed to play again?'."

The first two months after were mostly limited to sleeping. She missed around six months of school in "a tough senior year" but finished year 12.

"It was just little steps at a time," Jones said. "I started going on walks with [older sister] Ellie probably five-and-a-half months after, but they were never big. It was just to the coffee shop down the road.

"I was back at the gym around the six-month mark. But just simple stuff. I was training with [goalkeeping coach] Greg [Lowe] at seven, seven-and-a-half months and then [Magic first-grade coach] Jake [Curley] was letting me come and just practise my passing at trainings.

"There has been a lot of support the whole time."

Making the decision to play again this year was "super hard".

Watching Jones take the field on January 29 was a special moment for 20-year-old sister Ellie, who also plays for Magic, and for Brad and Mandy on the sidelines.

"I didn't think I could ever trump watching her play for her country but, honestly, the pride I had in that trial was just phenomenal," Brad said.

"Goalkeeper parents have got a tough life as it is, but that one was particularly tough. But, whilst it was tough, it was amazing as well.

"We've been there and helped where we can but this final step was all Ruby. She had to walk across that line and she had to make that first save. It was inspiring, just how far she has come to actually get back to that spot."

Jones, who now wears a special goalkeeping protective headband on the field, managed three 45-minute thirds against Adamstown in another trial on the weekend.

"Obviously, I need to continue to build my confidence, but I have a great support system around me," Jones said.

"I'm in the best place I could be to start this tough journey. I'm really excited to play under [former national league shot-stopper] Alison [Logue].

"I can't thank Alison enough for getting me on the pitch because she was so supportive. I'm so excited to learn from her this season and to keep developing."

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