FOLLOWING a season on the sidelines with injury, Daisy D'Arcy is back for Gold Coast, both physically and mentally in a great spot ahead of Saturday's first AFLW game against the Western Bulldogs.

D'Arcy ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee late in the 2024 season, and with another surgery required in 2025, has had to wait almost two full years between games.

But the energetic 23-year-old says she's now raring to go after an "up and down" rehab.

"It has definitely been a long time," D'Arcy said.

"I've been able to focus on myself a bit more personally and get to view footy in a different way.

"I got to work more on my professionalism off the field. With rehab you've got to be on-point all the time to get to where you are."

The Suns Academy graduate was emerging into one of the most exciting young half-backs in the competition prior to the injury she suffered in her 50th career game.

D'Arcy has an exquisite left foot kick, reads the game well and has a toughness that defies her stature.

Aside from the professionalism, she said it was the mental side of her game that got some attention over the past two years.

"(I've learned to) just give myself a bit more credit," she said.

"It's such a long time and your body can actually go through a lot more than you think.

"Especially when you get to the really challenging parts of the rehab, it's hard to keep motivated and push through. I think I've built a bit more patience and respect for my body."

Although sidelined through a difficult 2025 for the Suns, D'Arcy was deployed in a bench position to relay messages to teammates, in a role she says kept her motivated and very much part of the club.

Now, with 11 new faces on the list, the North Queensland product could not be more excited about getting on the field again.

"I feel good. I'm just super excited to be back out there with the girls," she said.

"My main focus is to just go out there and play my role and do my part for the team."