The Western Bulldogs are sweating on the results of scans which will determine the extent of a knee injury suffered by star forward Isabel Huntington.
Huntington went down clutching at her knee in the second quarter after a marking contest.
The 2017 number one draft pick grabbed for her right knee with fears immediately arising that she had suffered a third ACL injury.
That didnโt look good for Izzy Huntington ๐ #AFLW #AFLWDogsDees pic.twitter.com/qddOy5cMOe
— Womenโs Sport Australia (@WomensSportsAus) January 8, 2022
Bulldogs head of womenโs footy Debbie Lee told Channel 7 during the game that the club would be nervously awaiting scans to reveal the extent of the injury.
โThe medical team are just assessing at the moment, so weโll just have to wait and see post-game,โ Lee said.
โWeโre hoping for the best but itโs just getting assessed at the moment.โ
Izzy Huntington has come from the ground following this contest ๐ฅ
Wishing you all the best, Izzy!#AFLW | #AFLWDogsDees pic.twitter.com/UAQqD1xmwH
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) January 8, 2022
She has ruptured her ACL twice since entering the AFLW, with the injury occurring in 2018 and 2019. Huntington also tore an ACL in 2016.
The 2021 Rising Star and 2020 All-Australian has quickly become one of the league's most exciting prospects and now faces another season out of the game.
The nature of the women's competition is such that players lives outside of football are often impacted by serious injuries.
Izzy Huntington is just an outstanding human. She has the whole footy world with her because of this. Whatever the set back, sheโll get back. And I will continue to be in awe of her resilience and perspective. So much love โค๏ธ
— Alicia Eva (@AliciaEva2) January 8, 2022
AFLW premiership coach Bec Goddard said that there were many aspects of Huntington's life that may be affected should the worst be true.
โIโve got a sick feeling in my stomach watching this,โ premiership coach Bec Goddard told Channel 7.
โThe thing about ACLs โ this is really sad news if this is the case that poor Izzy has got another injury like it โ is that itโs not just football.
"Itโs her life, it's her study, itโs her work โ it impacts everything, aside from the fact sheโs going to be out of the game for a lengthy period of time if thatโs happened.
โThatโs why the airโs been sucked out of the ground a little bit because itโs a bit more than just footy. These athletes arenโt paid full-time yet โ weโre working a way forward on that โ and itโs hard on them.โ
