Taking a break proved the most difficult but rewarding lesson Rosie Fadljevic ever learned.
The newest addition to the Dandenong Jayco Rangers WNBL roster – bringing her back to where it all began as a Dandenong junior – almost never returned as life-on-court took its toll.
At the end of the 2015 winter season, Fadljevic, 22, from Endeavour Hills had just finished up her Geelong Supercats SEABL duties, packed away her gear and… relaxed.
The relentless life of balancing summer and winter seasons, plus travelling around the country playing had taken a toll.
After leaving Townsville’s WNBL program that year – with her maiden WNBL championship victory in her back pocket – Fadljevic was ready for a break.
Then the phone rang.
On the other end of the line… legendary Canberra coach Carrie Graf.
“I was kind of in no-man’s land,” Fadljevic said.
“I finished off with Geelong in SEABL and I was convinced that I wasn’t going to play again to the point that I threw my shoes out as I thought ‘I don’t need these anymore’.
“I was all set – unpacked all my winter gear at home and said to mum that my cupboard had never been this full.
“But then three days into me being at home Graffy called me.
“I saw her phone call and thought ‘I don’t know if I want to answer this or not’ as I just wanted a change.”
And after six weeks in the WNBL system with Canberra, she was back to her relaxation.
“I came home and did nothing for five months – and it was fantastic,” Fadljevic said.
“I didn’t play, I only came and watched the Dandenong girls play after about a month.
“Didn’t play, didn’t touch a ball, but then I started shooting around after games and it all started to come back.
“That five months was probably the best thing I ever did.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of girls who have taken that break and one girl in particular said it’s the best thing you could do.
“When she did it – she had a year off – everyone told her it was the worst thing she could do, but she came back and funnily enough she was in the Opals squad this year.
“She said ‘listen to yourself’ and I did and I’m happy I did that.”
She returned to Geelong for another winter campaign… and is thrilled to return to her long-time home at Dandenong Basketball Stadium for the upcoming WNBL season.
“I do get to come home – I’m so excited,” Fadljevic said.
“Walking in here the first training session I had a weird feeling – it felt good to come back.
“Sara (Blicavs) and I played here when we graduated from the institute and she thought it would be a great idea – she loves to try and persuade me into things and, in this case, she has.
“Steph Cumming was the same – Steph and I lived together in Townsville so we are really close – and one thing led to another.”
For season 2015/16, that off-court joy she felt across last summer is something she wants to bring back to her game.
“Just to enjoy it, really. I think before I had that break that basketball had taken over my life a little bit,” Fadljevic said.
“I don’t know how long I’m going to play for but I don’t want my last years to be that I don’t enjoy it.
“Just want to do well with the team.
“They’ve come so close in the last few years and when I was in Townsville we actually knocked them out so, hopefully, we can knock Townsville out this year if that’s what happens.”
Rosie’s return to Dandenong begins with its WNBL season-opener away against UC Capitals on 8 October before hosting the first home game against Perth on Sunday 16 October.
