One of local football’s most durable players is facing the prospect of a season on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in his club’s final practice match.
Scans have confirmed Modewarre captain Tom Worpel has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and sustained a crack at the top of his tibia following an incident in last Friday’s meeting with GDFNL club Belmont Lions at Community Bank Oval.
“Tommy picked it (the ball) up, and he kicked a goal,” coach Mark Hovey said. “We couldn’t tell who it was for a start because a guy fell on top of him.
“The boys were half celebrating, and he was on the ground, and a couple ran over to him, and he wasn’t getting up.
“Then the runner went out and straight away turned around and signalled things weren’t great, so they ran off and got a stretcher.
“At that time, we realised who it was.
“He was able to walk off, but he was in a heap of pain.”
Arriving from Bannockburn ahead of the 2015 season, Worpel has played 152 games (of a possible 153) and kicked 208 goals.
A two-time leading goalkicker at Modewarre, Worpel featured in the club’s first BFNL grand final appearance in 2016 and played a vital role in the Warriors upsetting Barwon Heads to claim the 2018 premiership.
He is hoping to see a surgeon this week.
“He’s a heart-and-soul player, and the boys love him—it’s a bit deflating,” Hovey said.
“Our thoughts are with him because he’s a really good person, highly respected at Modewarre, club captain, and he’s got a young family, and it’s probably going to impact his work,” Hovey said.
Modewarre opens its 2024 season on Good Friday with a twilight clash against Geelong Amateur.
Hovey has confirmed his son Josh will be among three debutants for the Warriors, along with experienced former Port Adelaide player Ryan Williams and Scott Morter.
X: @krockfootball
