Comeback queen Clare McMeniman will not let a sore nose stop her from another grand final. Source: Jerad Williams / News Corp Australia
IT takes more than a bloodied and throbbing nose to stop Queensland Firebird Clare McMeniman, or test her friendship with Laura Geitz.
The tough defender, who spilled blood for her team in the preliminary final, was back at training on Wednesday before Sunday's ANZ Championship grand final against the Melbourne Vixens.
She is fit to mark Vixens goal attack Tegan Caldwell in the decider, but Queensland fans held their breath on Monday night when McMeniman reeled away clutching her face after a heavy rebounding contest.
The culprit was not one of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic attackers, but friendly fire from her own captain and good friend Geitz.
Both can laugh about the incident but McMeniman did have to soldier on for 50 minutes with a sore beak.
"I think she was hoping I wouldn't realise it was her," McMeniman said.
"It was all fair, and a big accident. It just shows how dedicated we are to getting those rebounds.
"It was just a bit of blood. It was uncomfortable but nothing I couldn't manage."
Firebirds pair Laura Geitz and Romelda Aiken celebrate beating the Magic on Monday night. Source: Getty Images
McMeniman is one of four Firebirds – the others are Geitz, Romelda Aikan and Ameliaranne Wells – remaining from the 2011 premiership-winning side.
She retired after that grand final, travelled across Europe and intensified the focus on her career as a speech pathologist.
Some gentle encouragement from Geitz, who has known the Warwick product since she was a teenager in neighbouring Allora on the Darling Downs, prompted McMeniman to make a comeback this year.
The 28-year-old wrestled back her goal defence bib from Demelza McCloud and Jacinta Messer, and went within a whisker of selection for the Australian Commonwealth Games team.
Geitz, who was glad she did not leave her mate with a black eye, described McMeniman as the workhorse of the team.
"To play in another grand final with Clare is going to be amazing," Geitz said.
"I love playing with Clare, her passion and determination is just second to none"
"On the court is such an intense personality and does not smile too much but you know when she is out there she gives it her all.
"So I am looking forward to stepping out with her on court again on Sunday, putting out a strong performance and grabbing that premiership, which she obviously came back in search of,'' Geitz said.
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