Sport
19 September, 2025
Cameron’s extraordinary comeback
Stawell Warriors C-Reserve netballer Alexandra (Al) Cameron has capped off a remarkable netball comeback, claiming the Wimmera Football Netball League best and fairest alongside Warracknabeal’s Madison Heller last Monday night.
Cameron polled 14 votes. Her teammates were also in the top ten. Madi Freeland finished fourth on 12, Michelle Beaton sixth on 10, and Tracey Dark ninth on six.
It was a remarkable effort this season, considering she returned to the court after a seven-year absence.
Cameron last played for Beaufort, and in the seven years off, has given birth to two children, Ruby and Harvey.
Her good friend Jade Cross convinced her to come back to netball this year, and she was welcomed to the Warriors with open arms.
She played ten games and scored 135 goals, finishing fifth on the leaderboard, a fantastic effort.
Cameron said that the win was a surprise.
“I went in thinking that if I made the top ten, I’d be happy, but I definitely wasn’t prepared to win, so I was very surprised,” Cameron said.
“After round eight, I was in the top two on the leaderboard and got a couple of more votes, and my coach, Michelle Beaton, who also plays GA, turned to me after she got three votes, and said, ‘Sorry, I took votes off you.’ I replied with, ‘That’s fine.’”
“When the leaderboard was shown after round 18, I was sitting next to Jade and she said that my name is not on the list, and that I definitely have won something and I couldn’t believe it.”
“I am absolutely stoked, honoured and proud to win this and I wouldn’t have been where I am without the Stawell Warriors and C-Reserve girls,” Cameron said.
“I am grateful that they have welcomed me to the club and take the court with me every week.”
When asked how challenging it was to come back after seven years, Cameron said it was hard early, but it got easier as the year went on.
“My body coped better the more games I played, and I still don’t know how I managed it,” Cameron said.
“I feel like C-Reserve is a slower game, and it gave me a bit more of a chance to find my feet again, being back on the court.
“We have a very experienced team as well, and we are not a fast-paced team, but more of a slowdown team.”
Cameron’s attention turns to the grand final tomorrow, where they head in as favourites.
“It’s absolutely unreal playing in a grand final and even better to represent the club one more time,” Cameron said.
“We have spoken about being favourites and not to let that get to our heads as it’s anyone’s game on grand final day.
“We need to play our own game, and not play on nerves, and to keep a cool head and get the win.”
Other Warriors netballers also enjoyed success on Monday night. Breanna Garreffa was runner-up in the C-Grade best and fairest on 22 votes, eight behind the winner Lottie Sordello from the Horsham Saints.
In the B-Grade, Samantha Cook won the leading goalshooter with 641 goals.
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