When she takes to the netball court for her 300th Hampden league A grade match today, the milestone will be as much about determination as longevity.

For two-and-a-half years the aggressive midcourter has battled chronic fatigue.

“For the first few months I couldn’t get out of bed,” Bowman said.

“It’s like you are physically and mentally not there, you are just so tired.

“It started for me with random heart palpitations and you think your fitness is not good enough so you try and get fitter.”

The problem surfaced in the month after Koroit’s 2012 premiership. Bowman was coach of the Saints in 2013 but she revealed during that pre-season she was so fatigued she was unable to drag herself to training to oversee the team’s preparations.

“I was able to coach some games but there were games where I couldn’t get there,” she said.

“To get my quarters up to play finals I had to play a few A1 games and literally step on the court and then off it. It was just horrible.

“When I was moving I was OK but the next two or three days I really felt it.”

She took daily swims at the beach and the sea water had a positive impact, but her on-court influence was limited and the undefeated Saints were beaten in the 2013 grand final by North Warrnambool Eagles.

Without the coaching responsibilities last season, Bowman enjoyed a better year as she used chiropractic, acupuncture and rest to manage her body.

“Last year we had the luxury I could play three quarters and four if I had to,” she said.

Bowman is still managing the condition.

“I’m probably about 80 per cent,” she said.

“I can exercise and be healthy but I’m not as fit as I used to be.”

The 35-year-old said her health battles had her questioning whether she would extend her elite career into a new season.

“I think the last two seasons especially have been the hardest,” she said.

“It’s been important I did play. Playing probably helped me to improve.”

After Koroit completed an undefeated season in 2014 with an epic one-goal grand final triumph in extra time, Bowman could easily have called time on her career which includes 10 premierships.

“I was umming and ahhing in the off-season to continue but what motivates me is this is more for my kids than me,” she said.

“I think playing is going to show my kids that mum can exercise, play sport and make friends and take them out to the club and meet new people.”

Bowman becomes just the eighth player in league history to reach 300 A grade games when she lines up against her old side Warrnambool today, joining Elise Darcy, Angela Jellie, Tracey Baker, Stacey O’Sullivan, Megan Titmus, Leah Sinnott and Kate Dobson to achieve the milestone.

She started her career aged 14 at Warrnambool playing alongside her mother Elaine in her first top-level game. She fell just short of 250 games with the Blues, featuring in 11 grand finals that netted seven premierships.

Since joining Koroit, where she has played 51 games, she has been part of another three premierships from four grand final appearances. In total, she has been part of 15 grand final teams and won 10 flags, eight as a player and two as a coach.

Bowman, who has won seven club best and fairest awards, is also a three-time league best and fairest winner.

The dynamic midcourter hoped to keep her milestone low-key — just like the new-look Saints of 2015.

Koroit has lost five of its grand final starting seven for this season, including star goal shooter Carley Thomas, who is having a year off.

Bowman said the turnover of players meant several younger players would get their chance to cement spots at the elite level.

“When you lose five of your starting seven, obviously you have to rebuild,” she said.

“I’m the oldest player by 11 or 12 years. I feel really old.”

But she is looking forward to helping guide her inexperienced teammates.

In other games today, Hamilton Kangaroos will start favourite against Cobden, Kellie Sommerville will lead Port Fairy in her first game as coach against Portland at Hanlon Park, the new-look North Warrnambool Eagles face Terang Mortlake and a youthful South Warrnambool is at home to Camperdown.