Corio co-coach Joel Bennett has suffered three spinal fractures following a collision in Saturday’s draw against Inverleigh at Shell Reserve.
Bennett’s father and co-coach, Darren, has confirmed to K rock Football that the reigning Whitley medallist has fractured his C1, C2 and T7 vertebrae after receiving contact from behind in a marking contest during the final quarter.
Footage shows Bennett sitting under a high ball from a kick into the Devils’ forward line.
Played was halted for around five minutes while Bennett was assessed by medical staff from both clubs and stretchered from the ground.
The 26-year-old remains at University Hospital Geelong, but doctors are not ruling out transferring him to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for further treatment.
The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the first two vertebrae at the top of the cervical spine, forming a pivot joint.
The T7 vertebrae is the seventh thoracic vertebra, located in the middle of the chest between the seventh and eighth pairs of ribs.
It supports the spinal cord, ribcage, and muscles of the chest.
Information in this story has been provided by the Bennett family and published with their permission.
