Dual W-League championship-winner Rhali Dobson has committed to a fourth Herald Women's Premier League with Merewether in a boost for the club and competition.
The Melbourne City striker told the Newcastle Herald last month she was waiting for firm details before deciding if she would play in a proposed modified WPL due to the coronavirus crisis.
Competitive senior sport in NSW has since been given the green light to resume from July 1 and Northern NSW Football are expected to announce a start date for a 14-round WPL season, reduced from 21 rounds, this week.
Dobson agreed to play with United on Tuesday but the highly competitive 28-year-old will be putting the focus on fun in a season she believes is wide open.
"For me, it's to play and to really enjoy the game for what it is," Dobson said.
"Obviously, everyone is only going to get a couple of weeks for a second pre-season and I think it's going to come down to who takes their chances in the competition. It's anyone's game and that's actually a good thing because there's been certain clubs that have been in the top three or four constantly and this gives the competition an opportunity to have a breath of fresh air."
The WPL have already lost Jets players Cassidy Davis, Libby Copus-Brown, Tara Andrews, Lauren Allan and Gema Simon to the NSW National Premier League in Sydney this year.
Dobson, who has played the past three W-League seasons with City, and Jets striker Jenna Kingsley, who has signed with Newcastle Olympic, are the only current national league players in this year's WPL.
"I've tried playing in the Sydney competition before and I just didn't enjoy it, having to travel every weekend," Dobson said.
"And, for me, giving back to the local community is a very important thing in my off-season because people learn from girls who play in the W-League and you want to strengthen the local comp to make it more appealing."
Dobson's return is welcome news for Merewether coach Scott Ellis. From the side which were defeated in last year's grand final by New Lambton in extra time, United lost key players Leah Giuffre, Jane McDonald, Jamee Ellis and Tayla Braithwaite to seasons off and Courtney Anderson to Mid North Coast.
Former captain Lori Depczynski returned after a year out and, in a new role up front, scored for Merewether in both games played before the competition was suspended in March. Dobson is likely to have more of a midfield role this season.
"We were really low numbers wise and I was concerned but, with Rhali and possibly another signing this week, all of a sudden I'm feeling a lot more comfortable," Ellis said.
"We've got quite a bit of flexibility. Rhali and Lori together, I don't think I'd want to be a centre-back playing against that. Those two in the middle of attack is going to attract a lot of attention from the defence."
Merewether are second and unbeaten after two matches.
They opened the season with a 3-3 draw against defending champions New Lambton then a 2-1 win over Newcastle Olympic 2-1.
