Mooroopna’s Dayna Williams shares her rehabilitation story one year on from a sickening injury

But she’s back — and it hasn’t been through dumb luck, either.

Williams underwent gruelling rehabilitation in order to make her return to the court, doing so in round three against Echuca.

But when Williams laced up for Mooroopna for a routine Goulburn Valley League game on April 29, 2023, little did she know a horrific injury would sideline her for 357 days.

Or did she?

“I just remember it was kind of a weird feeling that day,” she said.

“I was kind of in my head about playing Seymour; they’re obviously a strong team and there’s always a bit of rivalry.

“And then when I jumped up for the ball, it was a weird feeling, I sort of felt like something was going to happen.

“When I landed, straight away I felt the knee pop in and out. I’d never really done anything to my knees before so I had no idea.

“I was telling myself it was dislocated and didn’t really want to admit to myself what I thought would be the truth.”

Only a few days later, Williams got the call from the specialist.

Her anterior cruciate ligament was ruptured.

Her medial collateral ligament was torn.

In short, she was in bits.

Doctors promised surgery was a must if she ever wanted to play competition netball again, leading Williams to go under the knife in June 2023.

“Once I got past the first bit of disappointment I really changed my view on it and saw it as a challenge,” she said.

“I knew it would be a big challenge, but I was just excited to get back as soon as I could — just make the most of my adversity.

“I got back earlier this year, closer than 12 months, which I was very happy because I achieved my goal.

“Obviously, if you look at it overall, it is a long journey and it is a very lonely journey. You definitely have to take it bit by bit; I just focused on each little phase.

“The exercises I got for that month, I tried my best to do them every day, took little bit by little bit and didn’t overwhelm myself with the big picture and I got there in the end.”

Williams was stoked, but as for the rest of Mooroopna? They smiled like Cheshire Cats.

Having one of the club’s best back on the court for a massive match against the reigning premier was huge.

Deep down, though, many players could’ve harboured self-doubt about ‘that’ first game back.

Not Williams.

“Lots of people think it is a big mental battle which it definitely is, but that’s also why I wanted to make sure I did my rehab 100 per cent and gave it my all throughout the whole thing, so I didn’t have that mental side knowing I could’ve done more,” she said.

“Lots of people were asking me coming up to my first game if I was nervous which didn’t really help, but it’s safe to say I was not nervous at all.

“I was just so excited to get back out there and I didn’t have any doubt in my mind that I hadn’t done everything that I could to make sure that it was 100 per cent.”

Since then, Mooroopna has beaten six out of its seven opponents, including the highly-fancied Euroa.

Williams has also managed to sandwich in an interleague victory for the GVL against the Ovens and Murray League, and is flying for Melbourne University Lightning’s 23-and-under squad in the Victorian Netball League.

However, it’s cut and dry that club land is where the loyal Cat wants to taste true success.

Williams started her career through Mooroopna’s Net Set Go program and progressed through the club’s junior program.

She was handed her senior opportunity by the late Jenny Barlow and made waves as a robust defender inside the Cats’ defensive arc.

Under Di Hanslow, Williams discovered a new talent.

Hanslow unlocked the versatile tall’s capability at the end of the court and it’s here that Williams is now thriving.

“When I first started transitioning into the senior level, Jenny Barlow was a big part of that. I’m very grateful for her guidance and just for her believing in me,” Williams said.

“I really do think about her a lot and the influence she had on my netball and what she did for our club was so amazing — it really set us off on a good foot and for our success that we’ve had.

“And then Di coming into that had continued that success, so I’m very grateful to both of those two ladies, Jenny Barlow and Di, for the influence they’ve had on my journey and obviously the Mooroopna Netball Club as well.”

Mooroopna is on a wrecking path to finals in 2024 and the Cats could well be on course to make their first A-grade grand final if the stars align come September.

Even if things don’t fall the right way, Williams has proved there’s always time to dust yourself off, stand up and keep on going.