Canberra star Emma Stanbury hails from the bushfire ravaged town of Coopernook and as she prepares to face Melbourne City, her hometown is battling to save their livelihoods.
With many of Coopernook's residents, including her parents, packing their things into storage and leaving their homes, it's been an incredibly stressful time for Stanbury.
After a horrific month, there are still 59 fires burning across NSW and now 60 across Victoria, displacing hundreds of residents.
Phone lines are intermittently down in Coopernook, yet Stanbury tries to call her parents on a daily basis.
"My family obviously couldn't come down on the weekend and watch the game," Emma shared.
"There have even been times where they can't leave town because the highway is blocked in both directions.
"There is a lot of sadness up there because people have lost their homes, their lives or have been affected by the fires somehow.
"I have been calling my parents every day to make sure our house is still up. It feels awful that I am down here and I can't do anything about it."

For the second match running, Canberra will donate and fundraise money for the Salvation Army's bushfire appeal against Melbourne City.
"It is not about putting the team before family, because Canberra United is my family. I know that despite whatever happens, it will be ok because my team has my back."
"Canberra is my new home and I hope my new community here can support my community back home," Emma said. "Any donation would be amazing."
To donate to The Salvation Army Bushfire Disaster Appeal, head to the Salvation Army website or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
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