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<\/p>\n\u201cIt was really motivational to me, it kept me going,\u201d Dooley told this masthead. \u201cWhen I first came home to Australia, five or six of the girls came to visit me in hospital. They definitely kept me going through those tough times.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust to be there at games with them was so special \u2013 the thing that I missed the most was being part of a team, not as much the cricket, but being part of a team.<\/p>\n
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Renegades captain Sophie Molineux and coach Simon Helmot savour their team\u2019s rags-to-riches victory.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cSo being back with the girls on the field made me feel a part of it. I\u2019m very blessed to have that support from them and the wider cricket community.\u201d<\/p>\n
One poignant moment in the documentary shows Dooley, in sunglasses, clearly overcome with emotion while watching the tense conclusion to the match. Her nearest teammate had her arm around her for support as Dooley collected herself.<\/p>\n
Renegades coach Simon Helmot reflected on Dooley\u2019s journey on Thursday night, memories that are \u201cvery emotional when I speak about that, only because it was quite a heavy season\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ensured we engaged Josie in the team as much as possible and the girls absolutely love and adore her,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s so passionate and enthusiastic. We had a catch-up meeting today, and it turned into a strategy meeting about our opposition, our team, and what we need to do this season. She\u2019s so invested and loves talking cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dooley has continued to make huge strides in her recovery; she even made an \u201cunexpected\u201d return to cricket for two overs of a Twenty20 first-grade match for Sturt while visiting friends in Adelaide recently. She had also played for South Australia before her stroke.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my impairments that I still have is with my vision, so that makes it difficult,\u201d Dooley said. \u201cThe goal is to get back to cricket. We are not sure in what capacity, but I\u2019ll keep on pushing, and hopefully, my vision will improve a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had the ball hit to me like five times. They had me fielding at point and midwicket \u2013 I couldn\u2019t field there beforehand. So when you can\u2019t see, and you are put at point \u2013 it\u2019s a little bit terrifying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dooley will compete in her first para athletics meet this weekend in Brisbane, and she is training three days a week with the Queensland Academy of Sport\u2019s para athletics unit, in shot put and table tennis. It is her first shot put competition, and Dooley will be with the Renegades at Allan Border Field on Sunday, no doubt with a report on how she went.<\/p>\n
Helmot says his \u201ccoach\u2019s advisor\u201d remains a vital part of the team\u2019s fabric, and her teammates take great strength from her infectious enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe will never forget how important she was in our campaign and her off-field inspiration,\u201d Helmot said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s great to see her now, she\u2019s moved on from that. The stroke has been and gone, and she\u2019s living her best life and doing some really cool things.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s always going to be a Renegade and part of the fabric of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n