Hawkesby reaps the reward of bold Sydney FC return

Hawkesby, 23, joined Brighton & Hove Albion after last season's grand final win but after a difficult stint in England, where she barely played, re-joined Ante Juric's Sky Blues midway through this campaign.

The midfielder won player of the match in Saturday's 1-0 triumph over Melbourne City at AAMI Park, her second championship after also claiming three premierships.

"I don't think I was at my best on the ball, execution wise," she said.

"But I think lot of players in our team including myself, I try to play with my heart on my sleeve and give everything possible."

Hawkesby's rise as a player came under Juric, and she knew where she wanted to be when the opportunity to return came.

"I definitely put the call in and we got it done quite quickly," she said.

"I knew where I was at with my career and I wanted to come home.

"I just love Sydney FC - there's just nothing else I'd rather do than play for this club.

"Playing for Sydney FC just brings me so much joy. I'm so happy here and I think that's why I'm able to play at my best and that's the reason why I think over the last few seasons I've played well.

"It's an honour to be back and I'm grateful that Sydney were able to bring me back."

She is reaping the rewards now.

"I knew coming back, it was going to be difficult, but I play for my family. I play for Ante. I play for the girls. I play for Nat Tobin who got injured," she said.

"There was a lot of factors that drive me wanting to win."

Juric hailed Hawkesby's influence on Sydney's season before and after her return, which included scoring in each semi-final leg against Central Coast.

"Macca sabotaged me - but then she's come back. Felt bad for me," he joked.

"But she changed a lot.

"She changed the off-field dynamics because we were struggling with leadership and bit of energy - so she could change the season."

But this time, Hawkesby has no plans of leaving.

"I'll definitely be at Sydney FC next season," she said.

Australian Associated Press