Hawkesby reaps the reward of bold Sydney FC return

Mackenzie Hawkesby's decision to come back to the ALW has proved the right one. (Daniel Pockett/AAP PHOTOS)

Mackenzie Hawkesby left Sydney FC last July, returned in December and five months later was the player of the match in their A-League Women grand final triumph.

Hawkesby, 23, joined Brighton & Hove Albion after last season's grand final win but after a difficult stint in England, where she barely played, re-joined Ante Juric's Sky Blues midway through this campaign.