Westfield Matildas star Hayley Raso makes incredible Westfield W-League return

146 days — that’s how long Brisbane Roar’s Hayley Raso had to wait before setting foot on a professional football field again.

(Feature image credit: Brisbane Roar)

The 24-year-old has been through the ringer over the past five months: Three broken vertebrae meant Raso went from being part of the Westfield Matildas squad, to suddenly learning how to walk again.

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It was a purely accidental occurrence in the National Women’s Soccer League that caused so much strife for Raso.

Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, who also plays in the Westfield W-League for Sydney FC, charged towards the ball, collecting Raso — who was playing for the Portland Thorns at the time.



The emotional and physical rollercoaster that followed would have broken many a player.

So you can understand why when, as the second half between Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC resumed in the Westfield W-League, the pacy forward was beaming with delight.

And even though Sydney FC's 3-1 win over Brisbane deprived Raso of that winning feeling, it would most certainly not have soured Raso's sweet return.

Look what it's meant to Raso over the past few days:

FOX SPORTS presenter Tara Rushton led the way, congratulating Raso on her comeback.

While fans and the media alike were in awe.

And it was great to see Raso garner support from her clubs.