One of New Zealand's top footballers has made a triumphant return to the game, less than a year after a shock cancer diagnosis.
Football Ferns star Rebekah Stott has played 60 minutes for Melbourne City in their 1-0 win over Canberra in the Women's A-league - her first professional game since being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma earlier this year.
Stott says it was an emotional return and she hopes she's an inspiration for others battling cancer.
"All the emotions tonight, absolutely stoked to be back out there with the girls, especially with a huge win on the road," she tweets. "Honoured to hold this record this great club."
Stott, 28, played her record 63rd game for City - 622 days since her previous outing, when she was "blissfully unaware of what was going on inside my body".
Disappointed at missing selection for this year's Tokyo Olympics, she has now set her sights on the 2023 Football World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
