It has been five years since Kate Moloney made her Australian Diamonds debut and nine since she first took the court for the Melbourne Vixens.
But later this month will mark the first time Moloney will compete at a Commonwealth Games.
"I've learnt so much from the teams I have made, as well as the ones I haven't," she said.
"Everything's not always going to go your way but it's how you respond to those things and what you learn from them.
"(Not making certain Diamonds teams) has given me is that motivation, to want to work harder and to want to be better and to try and push to be back in the team every time."
The 29-year-old midcourter has enjoyed a decorated career, packed with SSN Premierships and MVP awards, but stepping out on court at a Commonwealth Games is something Moloney had longed for.
"I've been around the squad since 2017 but I haven't played in a Commonwealth Games before and that's something I've always wanted to achieve," she said.
"It was so special when I found out that I was in the team. To be able to represent Australia is something you dream about it as a kid and to be able to do this for Team Australia in the Commonwealth Games... it's something that I'm incredibly proud of."
VIXENS QUARTET
Moloney will seek comfort in the fact she will be joined by three Vixens teammates in Birmingham with Liz Watson, Jo Weston and Kiera Austin all named in the squad.
"We do have this really special connection," Moloney said.
"Lizzie and Jo have been in the squad for such a long time and I've played a lot of my netball career with them... it's nice to be able to keep playing with them from Vixens and into Diamonds as well.
"I'm super proud of Kip (Keira Austin). She's had 12-months off with an ACL injury... and you kind of forget Lizzie had 12 months off too.
Kate Moloney will be joined by three Melbourne Vixens teammates in Birmingham with Liz Watson, Jo Weston and Keira Austin all selected in the team."They've put so much work in to get back in the squad. I've seen what they've done behind closed doors to make sure that they can get back into the team."
The last month has been an absolute rollercoaster for Moloney and her Vixens girls.
From being told she'd made the Diamonds squad to entering the finals series of the Suncorp Super Netball League, Moloney confessed... it's only now that she's been able to turn her attention to the Commonwealth Games.
"After finally arriving in camp, it's all starting to feel really real and I just can't wait to get on a plane and head over. The closer we get, the more exciting it gets," she said.
"Just to have this group all together, the excitement is really starting to build, the connections are growing and we are really looking forward to it."
HER INSPIRATION
When asked what inspires her, Moloney was stumped.
Not because she struggles to find inspiration but because there are a wealth of things which inspire her.
One of those things is her own individual drive. Another is to make those at home proud.
"It hasn't been a smooth path all the way but I've learned so much from the good and the bad," she said.
"To be able to be here in this moment... and know I've made into the Commonwealth Games team which is trying to achieve gold just motivates me.
Kate Moloney made her Diamonds debut in 2017 but this will be her first Commonwealth Games appearance."We also want to be back on that podium wearing that gold medal. It's (gold medal) for everyone that's helped me along the way from my family to the kids at home playing netball."
Netball has taught Moloney many life lessons over the years, none more powerful than finding enjoyment.
"If you're enjoying what you're doing, you're gonna want to keep doing it and you're gonna do it far better," she said.
The team element of the sport is also an aspect that keeps Moloney pushing to be the best she can be.
And while she won't shy away from the fact a gold medal is the key to success in Birmingham. It does go beyond that.
"We want to play really good netball and we want to enjoy it," she said.
"We also want to represent our country to the best of our ability. There's a lot of responsibility that comes with representing your country at a Commonwealth Games.
"At the end of the day, our goal is to win that gold medal."
ABOUT KATE
Name: Kate Moloney
Positions: WD, C
Game day pump up song: Tell Me Something Good - Ewan McVicar
Game day breakfast: Poached eggs on toast with some avocado
