Women’s football is full of feel-good stories.

There’s some that have dreamt of being footballers all of their lives, while others might never have given the sport much thought but, through natural athleticism, have enjoyed meteoric rises on the way to the pinnacle of the game.

Alana Sarec is an example of the latter.

In her first year in the sport in 2017, Sarec was one of her side’s best players as she won a premiership with the Hawthorn Amateur Football Club in the VAFA Development League.

That same year she also earned a spot in the Women’s Big V squad, highlighting her quick acclimatisation to the sport.

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Her impact at the amateur grade earned her interest from the next level and, by the start of the 2018 season, Sarec was on the list of Box Hill in the VFLW.

But, just as everything seemed to be coming together, disaster struck as the ruck injured her shoulder and was forced to have reconstructive surgery.

Her 2018 year was quickly and suddenly taken from her.

“It was tough, it was really tough watching the girls out there playing,” Sarec said.

‘Sticks’, as she is affectionately known by her teammates, was forced to watch on from the sidelines as her side produced an outstanding season, culminating in a maiden VFLW premiership for the club.

“The girls had a really good season and just being around them while they were training was great,” Sarec said.

“I still feel I got to be around them and got to support them, and they did the same for me.”

Her excitement to take on the next challenge of her recovery is evident.

Having returned to full training, practice matches are the next thing on the horizon, which will provide her with her first opportunity to pull on a brown and gold jumper.