A MALLEE EAGLES football player remains in a stable condition at the Bendigo Base Hospital after suffering a freak injury against the Cohuna Kangas on Saturday.
Mallee Eagles ruckman, Nathaniel Kendell fractured three vertebrae in his spine and bruising after he backed into a pack while attempting to take a mark, causing opposition players to fall on him.
The match at the Cohuna Recreation Reserve was abandoned five minutes into the third quarter, with the Mallee Eagles leading Cohuna Kangas by four points.
Mallee Eagles president, Geoff Kendell said his son would remain in hospital for at least the next few days.
“He is extremely lucky that it wasn’t more serious,” Kendell said.
“He was in immense pain and couldn’t move his legs and hands, and couldn’t be moved off the field due to the seriousness of his injury.”
Kendell praised the efforts of trainers from both clubs for their duty of care and subsequent support.
“This is about our fifth injury for the season; the club is having a run of bad luck, but injuries like this put everything into perspective,” Kendell said.
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were called to the match about 4.15pm to treat a man aged in his 20s. An ambulance arrived 27 minutes after the initial triple zero call.
“He was conscious and breathing and was taken to Cohuna District Hospital in a stable condition,” Ambulance Victoria senior media liaison, Paul Bentley said.
He was later transferred by road to Bendigo.
Central Murray Football Netball League chairman, John Brookshaw was thankful such “freakish” injuries on the field aren’t frequent.
“No one wants to see these things happen, and we attribute no blame to the clubs or the players also involved in the clash,” Brookshaw said.
Brookshaw wished Kendell a speedy recovery.
“I will meet up with the family and club over the next day to ensure everything has been above board, but at this point our full support remains with his family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Koondrook/Barham joined Nyah-Nyah West United and reigning premiers, Kerang with six wins for season 2016 following a 34-point win against Swan Hill.
Tom Lamb and Zac Hare kicked three goals each in the Raiders’ sixth consecutive win and the club’s first victory at the Swan Hill Showgrounds in at least eight years.
After trailing by five points at quarter time, the border side hit the lead in the second quarter and kept the Swans at bay for the rest of the day.
The win sets up a Queen’s Birthday showdown with the Blues – one of two games occurring this weekend.
