For a while, netball was put on the backburner and the veteran Terang Mortlake player hadn’t expected to play a game.

She didn’t play last year and missed preseason, but decided on the cusp of the Hampden division one season to make a return.

“My husband (Murray) plays football and I just thought footy training always comes first, so no, I’m actually going to play,” she joked.

The decision paid off, with Ellerton taking out the division one best and fairest award with 29 votes to win from Cobden’s Allison Tewierik (27) following a solid season playing predominantly in wing attack.

She said the win, which came 10 years after she took out the A grade award, was a surprise.

“My form was good but I suppose I look to try to help out the young girls a bit. I use my experience to help out where possible,” she said.