Just over 10 months on from a season-ending ACL injury, Steph Wales is officially back.

Making a stellar recovery thanks to her diligence and discipline over the off-season, the 22-year-old will line up against the Cats at Windy Hill this Sunday, an enormous boost to a side looking to go 4-0 for the first time in its history.

Suffering the injury in last year’s Dreamtime clash against Richmond on the verge of a finals berth, the setback was devastating for both player and Club but has served as fuel for the youngster in her rehab.

Eager to rejoin the action after ticking off all the key milestones required in rapid time, hearing the news in front of her teammates this week sparked plenty of emotional scenes.

In 31 career games to date, the mobile ruck has proven herself as an emerging star of the competition.

Polling top five finishes in the Dons’ best-and-fairest in consecutive seasons (including third place in 2023), Wales’ proof of her high rating internally came in the form of a mammoth four-year contract extension last year.

Wales’ return comes alongside another positive storyline for the Dons, with draftee Sophie Strong slated for her AFLW debut on the same day after an impressive return from a respective injury over the pre-season.

The Bombers take on Geelong from 3:05pm AEST on Sunday at Windy Hill.