“In five years, I hope to be playing overseas or possibly with the Matildas.”
Alana Cerne, a talented young player who made her A-League Women’s debut for Western United in the club’s inaugural season, is both modest and humble about her achievements thus far at the age of 20.

As she talks about being the team’s first signing and how she “didn’t expect to make [her] debut in the very first game,” Cerne’s humble demeanour is obvious. “This was my first year at Calder, and when Amanda phoned me about [Western United], I thought, this is insane!”

Cerne began playing football at the age of seven, after being introduced to the sport by her best friend. When Fawkner SC approved a girls’ squad, Cerne seized the opportunity and hasn’t looked back since. She was regarded as the strong, relentless player who always gave it her all.

Cerne began her journey with Fawkner SC and moved around several Victorian clubs until settling into a “home” with Victorian National Premier League club, Calder United SC. “[The girls at Calder] are still so close, and always will be,” she says. “Gosh, we are so lucky.”

She recognises that moving to Calder was the finest move she could have made, and she credits her success to the club, the players, the staff, and everyone around her. “I’d never go back; I love this club.”

Cerne has excelled in her new surroundings at A-League Women’s club Western United, just like her Calder teammates Adriana and Melissa Taranto, Emma Robers, Julia Sardo, Aleks Sinclair, Natasha Dakic, Alyssa Dall’Oste, Stacey Papadopolous, Raquel Deralas, and Harriet Withers. “Every year that we have played together, regardless of who else joins, we just gel so easily,” she says. “I think we are really close at Western, with the staff as well, so it is just so much easier when everyone loves each other.”

Cerne has wowed us all this season with her consistency in the centre defence position and versatility on the field. Cerne is capable of handling everything the game throws at her. “I think my [short-term] goal is what everyone’s goal is, start every match, and play for 90 minutes.”

Cerne made it clear throughout our interview that she would not be where she is now without the continuous support of her family and friends. “They are my biggest supporters,” she says. Much like her off-field family, her on-field family, is inextricably tied to her love of the game.

“It feels like being back at home”, she adds as we walk besides Cerne at Calder United SC’s home ground.

It is no secret that the young central defender is on the edge of being called up to the national squad, and it is all about getting the young Victorian recognised for her outstanding skills. Cerne aspires to be a Matilda, and she will, no doubt, get there sooner rather than later.