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Browne sisters eager to play netball again

3 minute read

Collingwood's Kelsey and Madi Browne have been living and training together as they recover from knee injuries to be ready for Super Netball.

KELSEY BROWNE of the Lightning.
KELSEY BROWNE of the Lightning. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

As they both recuperate from knee reconstructions, the Browne sisters - Kelsey and Madi - are working together to be fit for the opening round of Super Netball, whenever that may be.

The Super Netball competition was due to start this weekend and finally give the star pair a chance to play together for the first time since 2016.

That was set to happen in 2019 after Kelsey left champions Sunshine Coast and joined her big sister at the Collingwood Magpies, until Madi did her ACL in a pre-season match.

Diamonds midcourter Kelsey then followed her on to the sidelines when she too ruptured her ACL in round 13 in August.

Playing together is still a goal and is motivating the sisters as they wait on word of the competition start, with administrators to announce plans later this month.

"We did an interview at the start of the year and were both saying, '2020 is going to be our year' and how exciting it will be if we can get back on court together," Kelsey told AAP.

"It was getting us both through our rehab and now with everything that's happened ... we're both just training as hard as we can so we're right for round one."

As the shutdown took hold, the players decided to bunker down at the family home so they could train together.

"We decided to move in with mum and dad in Geelong and we've got a home gym there so it's nice to be back," Kelsey said.

"Just having people there to motivate you, especially Madi who is doing exactly the same program as me.

"Some days we both don't feel like it but make each other get up and do it so it's much easier to have someone there."

Kelsey, 28, said her knee rehabilitation was ahead of schedule before going into isolation but had subsequently stalled.

"I was where ahead of where I was supposed to be and was on track for an earlier return than this.

"Now it's about getting back into contested stuff and trying to do some match play.

"I've gained a bit more time but because I'm not in a team environment I can't tick off some crucial milestones."

While Madi retired from international netball in 2018, Kelsey was part of Australia's 2019 World Cup side.

While she was sad to see the departure of long-time Australian coach Lisa Alexander, she said she was excited for what lay ahead.

"It's a hard one because Lisa was the one who gave me my opportunity to play for the Diamonds and go to a World Cup," said Kelsey, who is studying for a psychology degree.

"For Australian netball it's an exciting time but my number one goal is just to get back on court and do what I can for Collingwood ... whatever happens from there happens."

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