Ravaillion played almost half a game in the Firebirds’ final pre-season hit-out, a 74-46 loss to Sunshine Coast Lightning at Nissan Arena on Saturday.
The 30-year-old has spent the entire pre-season watching from the sidelines as she recovered from surgery pre-Christmas but said her return to action couldn’t have gone any better.
“So exciting, it felt like I was debuting,” Ravaillion said.
“I was so nervous and anxious but as soon as the whistle went I was just in game mode.
“That white line fever just kicked in.”
Ravaillion says she’s now eyeing off lining up with her teammates when the Firebirds open their 2024 campaign on the road against defending premiers Adelaide on Saturday, April 13.
“Seeing the girls get out there has only just inspired me to work super hard in my rehab but I’ve got to round one and that was my aim, to get to round one and, yeah, I just feel confident now and ready to go,” she said.
“I’m glad that’s all out of the way and I can just focus on the season.”
Saturday’s match featured a raucous crowd of 1978 fans, many in the colours of their local associations having come to the match straight from the Senior State Age event being held at Western District Netball Association.
Ravaillion said it was a huge lift for her and the team to see such levels of support going into the new season.
“I didn’t expect it to be like that,” Ravaillion said.
“It actually felt so good to have the Purple Family behind us.
“It was so awesome to have that support behind us. We always say that they’re our 12th player but yeah, so grateful to have such a great fanbase.”
Every Firebirds match is also live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
All Firebirds home games for the 2024 season are now on sale via Ticketek.
