Paige Hadley's long-awaited return to the international stage felt so special it was like a second debut.
And it was all a bit of a blur.
Hadley, who made her Diamonds debut against Malawi in late 2013, was sidelined for most of 2014 nursing a ruptured ACL.
A great comeback from rehab with the NSW Swifts earned the 22-year-old a spot as the bolter selection on Australia's netball World Cup team.
The multi-faceted midcourter was subbed on in the second half of their opening 73-32 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in Sydney on Friday night.
Relieving Kim Green at wing attack then shifting to centre, she made an immediate impact with fast hands and feet and a total 22 feeds - second in the match only to the Calypso Girls' Rhonda John-Davis.
Coach Lisa Alexander made special mention of being "particularly pleased" with Hadley's performance.
"I rang mum after the game and said it felt like another debut, because it felt like the same situation - I went on at halftime, and family and friends were there," Hadley said.
"It was so special to be back out there, and it honestly felt like I hadn't missed a beat."
Hadley said she was thankful for her first 30 minutes on the sidelines because it gave her time to settle her nerves and soak in the atmosphere.
She did, but it was over in a flash.
"Sometimes you can't remember, it happened so fast in the last half and you just want to go out there and do your job.
"But I'm happy, and hopefully can just build throughout the tournament."
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