Kyah Simon has gone from being a ‘kid in a candy store’ to employing a more patient approach, and is reaping the rewards.
After enduring a frustrating 12 months injuries and setbacks, the Westfield Matildas and Melbourne City attacker is back to her scintillating best.
One of Australia’s most gifted footballers, Simon’s career has often been blighted by injuries from everything like shoulder and ankle reconstructions to soft tissues problems.
But the 28-year-old is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, firing for City in the Westfield W-League while also playing a key role in Australia’s success in the Women’s Olympic qualifiers earlier this month.
And Simon credits a more patient approach to her rehabilitation to her impressive run form.
“I think there’s always been something to be chasing or trying to play catch-up or racing against the clock for a major tournament or a season of some sort,” Simon said on Tuesday.
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“The approach has been quite different this time around.
“I guess the patience of Melbourne City (and) the Matildas has been amazing for me…taking it one step at a time and not thinking guns blazing too early.
“With my determination to want to just play, I’ll put my body through anything, even if (it’s) at the cost of injuring myself,” Simon added.
“(I’m) just so passionate about the sport and wanting to continually play that it was a blessing in disguise that people put the brakes on me and told me to ‘take that time, put your body first, don’t be like a kid in a candy store and just do it right this time’.”
Simon revealed to w-league.com.au last month she has taken on a gluten-free diet to help with her come back from the toughest period of her career.
And it’s transpired on the pitch, with the speedy attacker scoring four goals and providing two assists for the league-leaders so far this Westfield W-League campaign.
She transferred that form into international football, with two goals and two assists in three games in the Westfield Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers.
“I’m starting to feel like myself, playing a little bit more intuitive and not second-guessing myself,” Simon said.
“For me I can always get better and I can always get fitter, sharper, I can always score more goals, I can always assist and can do more for the team.”
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Simon will be hoping to keep those goals and assists coming as City look to wrap up the Premiership when they take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday night.
If Rado Vidosic’s side avoid defeat at Marconi Stadium, they will win their first Premiers’ Plate since the 2015/16 Season.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
Thursday, 20 February 2020
Marconi Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
