After overcoming an array of injuries and other setbacks, Giants defender Kristiana Manu is treating her 50th top-flight match, against Collingwood on Sunday, as a fresh start.

Manu’a, who made her international debut for Australia as a 20-year-old in 2016, had her spectacular progress derailed the following season by an Achilles tendon injury.

While she conceded her career still hasn’t completely recovered from that misfortune, a philosophical Manu’a says she is a much stronger person due to the hurdles she’s needed to overcome to notch her half century.

Kristiana Manu has done it the hard way to get to game No.50.Credit:AAP

“I didn’t know it was my 50th, so it was a bit surreal to hear about it,” she said. “I’m happy to reach it, but I see it as just the beginning for me. Missing a year because of my Achilles, and also not playing as much as I would’ve loved to last year actually reignited my passion for the game.

“Making 50 games means I’ve put in the work that was needed to reach that milestone. My Dad has always said it’s easy to make a team, but it’s hard to stay in one. His advice resonated with me and I’ve worked hard. When I was injured my career was at a high, but the time I spent out of the game gave me a chance to step back and focus on myself.”

Rather than curse the lost time, Manu’a prefers to look at it as an opportunity to grow.

“We always say things happen for a reason, and God was telling me I needed to focus on myself,” she said. “And that was something my parents instilled in me during that time. But it was hard coming back and I’m still kind of recovering from it now.”

Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald says Manu’a’s determination has allowing the proud New Zealand-born Australian of Samoan heritage to make an impact on this season’s Super Netball competition.

“I think she has been the most improved player in our team," Fitzgerald said. "She’s put in so much work and is getting better every week. It has taken a while to get back, but I think, too, the hunger has grown and she’s realised how good she could be. If she keeps improving the way she is, she’ll be a star.”

Manu’a says the gratitude she feels for all the sacrifices her parents made when she was identified as a rare netball talent a decade ago is also a driving force in her career.

“If it wasn’t for them, none of this would’ve happened,” she said. “The girls who play know all about the sacrifices: your parents drive you to places, cook the food, buy the shoes and pay for the trips when you make junior rep teams.

“Their sacrifices haven’t gone unnoticed by me. Everything is for them.”

Her 50th match won't be easy either. The Giants take on a Collingwood side in tht top four in front of a parochial Melbourne crowd.

“It’s going to be very competitive, especially seeing as though they’re fourth on the ladder and we’re fifth,” she said. “We just need to focus on our own game. We had a really good game against them the first time around [the Giants won 58-50 in May] and it’s going to be a very intense and tough match.”

Teammate Jamie-Lee Price says Manu’a's comeback and approach on the court were an inspiration to her teammates.

“Kristiana is one of those players who’ll give you everything,” Price said. “She plays with great passion and keeps going and going until the final whistle. When you have a player who never gives up and who supports you through anything, you’re very proud … and fortunate … to have them on your team.”

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