Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Roar W-League forward Amy Chapman feels reinvigorated after lighting up the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland in a guest stint with UQFC Women.

Chapman, capped 20 times for the Westfield Matildas, scored eight goals in five games to lead Wayne Gibbon’s side top at Easter, but now returns to Roar for pre-season preparations.

The 27-year-old thanked UQFC for aiding her return to full fitness after a 2014 season ruined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

“Everyone at UQFC was really supportive of what I was trying to get out of it,” Chapman said.

“I think the whole focus for me was to try to get as many games as I could over the Christmas break. I only played three games for the whole of 2014 so it’s a different feeling getting match fitness.

“On top of that I got to play with my sister (Georgia) again which was fun.

"I'm very thankful to the club and the competition was great."

UQFC have lost just once this season and lead the league by two points, although the second-placed Eastern Suburbs Women have a game in hand.

Chapman hopes the team can push on for the remainder of the season in her absence.

“I think we started quite strong and the game on the weekend was definitely our strongest performance as a team,” she said.

“Hopefully that momentum can continue but there are some tough games ahead as well.”

The Westfield W-League winner had already begun ribbing her UQFC teammates ahead of an upcoming friendly but will miss that match due to work commitments.

Chapman is instead focussing on a return to orange colours in Wednesday night’s friendly with Easts.

“Hopefully we do well. It’s a different feeling (from training) when you’re actually stepping out and have a specific goal in a game,” she said.

“Easts have been playing very well and I’m sure they will put up a strong game for us.”

UQFC host Brisbane Roar W-League on 15 April.