By JARROD POTTER
Dandenong mainstay Alison Downie is as keen as ever to hit the court for a 15th season after her one-season hiatus from her beloved WNBL side.
She never contemplated hanging up the famous number 12 WNBL jersey in her time away from the summer competition, with the 305-game veteran keen as ever to make an impact.
“It’s exciting – there was a point where I thought I was never going to come back but I guess last year when I had the season off I hadn’t retired,” Downie said.
“I wanted to reiterate that to everyone – ’cause I do love it and I love Dandenong and wanted to come back so it’s really exciting for me that I’m back.”
A European vacation and plenty of time to unwind throughout last summer has reinvigorated Downie’s desire to get on court.
She excelled in this season’s SEABL competition, playing a significant role in Dandenong taking its fourth championship in six years.
But for the WNBL side of life at Dandenong, Downie will have plenty of rebounding support this season from a fleet of tall inclusions.
She’ll be joined by Australian Opal Sara Blicavs, centre Alex Bunton and one of Downie’s returning championship team mates Jacinta Kennedy, who will all give sides a lot of headaches in the key.
“Huge – I was saying to Tegan (Cunningham) in the photos that I’m the short one now,” Downie said.
“It’s never happened and it’s really exciting to have some genuine talls ’cause we’ve been lacking that for a few years now.”
Getting to play for long-time WNBL team mate, SEABL coach and at times staunch opponent Larissa Anderson didn’t influence her decision to return, but Downie admitted it has always been her great pleasure to run out in her sides throughout the years.
“I really love playing for Larissa – I’ve said that from day dot,” Downie said.
“I’ve played with her and against her – didn’t like that so much – but to play with her then have her coach me and for her to want me is a really nice feeling and we’ve got a lot of history.
“She’d be on me all SEABL season – I’ve always loved to play for Dandenong and really enjoyed playing for Mark (Wright) too, just happened that it was the year I had the season off and after 300 games and 14 years in a row, it’s alright to have a break.
“It helped that Larissa was signed on as I was talking to her every week and seeing her every week and it’s good to have her.”
Anderson believed Downie is the exclamation mark on a strong roster and her experience and tenacity will prove invaluable for the young Rangers roster.
“She is that last piece of the jigsaw puzzle for us because we have got such a young team,” Anderson said.
“She just gets out there and gets it done – whatever she has to do at any cost.
“Someone who can get it done and has the experience, and is completely and utterly selfless in everything she does and she epitomises Dandenong.
“We’ve put this team together and she’s not just a full stop, but an exclamation mark – and for me, too, obviously with the journey we’ve had together over the years, it’s very special for me to have her here.”
Downie and her Rangers tip off the season on Saturday night in Canberra.
