Geelong Falcons draft hopeful Ben Rongidt has suffered the cruellest of blows in the middle of his draft year, with scans confirming the midfielder has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The AFL Academy and Vic Country squad member, who is tied to Geelong as an NGA prospect, is now set for a year out of the game.
It is understood Rongdit suffered the injury during Geelong Grammar’s APS derby clash with Geelong College on May 31.
“His knee had been a bit sore and wasn’t improving,” Falcons coach Paul Corrigan said.
“We thought we had a hyperextension situation, but we got the scan yesterday, and it confirmed an ACL.
“It’s horrible news for him. He’s come such a long way, so to cop that, it’s devastating.”
Corrigan said the Geelong Grammar student’s injury will be felt across the Falcons’ program.
“We found out last night when he called me, and it’s incredibly hard to take,” he said.
“We’ll wrap our arms around him as a club and do what we can for him and support him through.”
Corrigan said while it was a tough blow, it will form part of the Colac product’s journey.
“It’s never great in your draft year, but we also know going forward with the system, if he doesn’t get drafted, we have the opportunity to bring him back as a 19-year-old and get him ready for his opportunity,” he said.
“Everyone’s story is different; he may still get picked up this year, but there are still options down the line.”
Rongdit is expected to have surgery in the coming weeks.
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