She was on the verge of making her debut for the side last season but during a training session, she ruptured her Achilles.

It was a long and slow road of rehabilitation but she was back with the team over a year later and was hungry to make her debut.

 

**EMOTIONAL CAPTION ALERT** I want to thank everyone who went out of their way to message me, not only yesterday but over the past 18 months of my rehab journey. So overwhelmed by the support I have received and to debut for @giantsnetball in front of a home crowd and my family makes it even more special ❤️ getting a win wasn’t too bad either.. #12 #MANU’A Congratulations to SuperCoach @juliennefitz on 300 games, thanks for taking the leap and having the faith to have this coconut apart of your journey! To @kimmygee8 , it’s been a shit year for us both, but it’s been bittersweet having you next to me fighting demons in rehab! Cheers to finally having milk in our protein shakes 🥂 #fatclub 📸 @narellespangher

A post shared by Kristiana Manu'a (@kristianamanua) on

After missing the GIANTS grand final match last season against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the latter winning being crowned Champions, she was able to be part of the re-match in round one. 

Manu'a was brought in on for the remaining quarters replacing Samantha Poolman, who was in at goalkeeper.

"I don't think it sunk in until I was on the court for about two to three minutes," she told GIANTSNetballTV 

"I warmed up and just prepared to play when she looked at me and said 'Kristi come on', I was just warming up on the sideline like yep this is it," she said.

While playing the match was a notable achievement she said the standout moment of the match came after the final whistle.

"Singing the team song just after the game was monumental and being amongst the girls, they were just so happy for me," Manu'a said.

"I was just so thankful from all of them and all the love I was shown post-match as well."

GIANTS come up against the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday afternoon.