But that's certainly not the case.

In the space of a season Dowling took on her first A-grade coaching role, welcomed her first child into the world with husband Tom, a baby girl named Adelaide (Del), and steered the Crows to back-to-back A-grade flags, while also getting back on court to play in the club's B-grade premiership.

If that wasn't enough excitement for the year, multi-talented Dowling will now prepare to represent Australia in the World Water Ski Show in Mulwala next year.

That is, when she's not helping with harvest on the family farm.

For Dowling, who was also part of Crows' 2018 premiership team, the decision to take on the top job at the club she rates so highly came naturally.

Dowling said she felt right at home and was quickly welcomed by the club in her new role.

"When I fell pregnant, I still really wanted to stay involved in the club, so coaching seemed to be the next thing to give a go," Dowling said.

"I thought it would be a good challenge, and it was, but the girls made it really easy for me.

"It was a really great learning curve.

"I think you don't really appreciate your coaches until you are a coach.

"We had a fairly new team this year in both A and B-grades, but as a coach, it couldn't have gone any better."

The Crows defeated Jindera in the A-grade grand final while B-grade took down Howlong to snag their flag.

While it was never her plan to get back out on court so quickly after the arrival of Del, Dowling said a mixture of the stars aligning, plus having an amazing support network, made her quick return a reality.

"I actually had zero intention of coming back to play," Dowling said.

"As it turned out the birth went really well, so I just started training and then a spot opened up in the team.

"I had no idea what to expect, but it all went well and I was back.

"For the whole Crows club it was all round a really successful year with the boys making footy finals and most of the netball teams making finals too."

In the last six years Dowling has played in five netball grand finals, winning three premierships.

One of those being with Ovens and Murray league club Yarrawonga, playing in their 2016 A-grade flag against Lavington.

Dowling was joined this season at the Crows by former Pigeons' teammate Angela Tyrell, and in a fitting turn of events, the pair celebrated a decade since their first success together in the best way possible.

"10 years ago, on the same weekend we won the Crows' premierships, we won a B-grade premiership in Yarrawonga together," Dowling said.

"We joked that the last game we played together was a premiership and the next one was a premiership too.

"Yarrawonga are an unreal club.

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"You just have to look at their history of premierships and finals, they just have really great teachers at the club.

"Bridget Cassar (nee Tait) is a fantastic role model for the young girls there and always was for me.

"I definitely learnt a lot there."

But netball isn't the only sport Dowling is passionate about.

At the age of three she tried her hand at water skiing and was immediately taken by the sport which would later see her travel the world.

Now she spends more time on the water closer to home in Yarrawonga-Mulwala.

"I've been in the Australian team since I was 17-years-old and spent years overseas working and competing," Dowling said.

"I lived in Germany for two years.

"Then I moved to China for four months, where I unfortunately broke my leg before returning home.

"It's taken up a fair bit of my time over the years."

The World Water Ski Show tournament is the next event on Dowling's radar, where she will once again represent her country.

Dowling will be one of the talented show skiers from around the world to put on a stunt filled show in Mulwala in March of 2020.

While training for the event has begun, Dowling is also getting used to juggling being a mum and working on the family farm.

The Dowling family base themselves in Urana but also move between their property in Ungarie, with harvest season proving to be a busy time for all.

After growing up in Gippsland down near Phillip Island, Dowling admits she's had to adjust and learn the ropes of life on the farm after meeting her partner Tom.

"There's been lots to learn, but I love it," Dowling said.

"Farming, in my mind, isn't a job, it's a lifestyle and you have to love it or I don't think you'd survive in it.

"As all farmers are, we're praying for rain as soon as we can get some.

"The drought's affected lots of farmers all around.

"We hoped for a better year this year, but unfortunately we're cutting a fair bit of hay and harvesting barley at the moment.

"We'll get into proper harvest in another few weeks when the crops are ready."

Dowling's uncertain at this stage what next year will have in store for her after what's been a hectic season, but she said she hopes to be back out on the court in Crows' colours.

The premiership coach is still weighing up whether or not she will take on the A-grade top job again next season, but for now, the farm, the water and Del are calling.