Alison Downie

Club: Carlton

Playing Honours:

• WNBL Championship 2004, 05 & 12

• WNBL Rookie of the Year 2002

• VWFL Team of the Year 2016

• 3rd Carlton Best & Fairest 2017

The dual sports athlete has been competing at the top level of Womens sport for over 15 years. Commencing her professional Basketball career in 2000 for the Dandenong Ranges in the WNBL, Alison burst on the scene winning the Rookie of the Year in 2002, before winning three Championships with the club in 2004, 2005, & 2012. 

Always trying to get the edge on her opposition, Alison played footy during the off season of her Basketball commitments as she not only loved the game but used it as a way to keep fit for the next Basketball season. However as the years rolled on with her football and womens football gained more momentum, Alison became one of the dominant rucks of the VWFL putting her on the radar of the AFL Clubs competing in the inaugural AFLW season. In swooped Carlton at Pick 129 where she was starting ruck in the 2017 Season to be one of the most valuable members of the team, resulting in a 3rd place finish in the Best & Fairest.

In what was a tough season for Carlton in 2018, Al played admirably as she was thrown in a number of different positions throughout each game to help the team. Al learnt a lot playing the various roles, however it was in 2019 where she assumed the number one ruck role and once again proved how pivotal she was to the team performance. The Blues had a much better year, finishing runner up to Adelaide, with Al again in the top 5 of the Best & Fairest.

Carlton and Al continued on the strong form in 2020 before the season was unfortunately cut short due to Covid. As one of the more experienced players in the team, Al jumped at the opportunity to extend her contract for a further season.