Geelong Falcons boys coach Paul Corrigan says his heart sank when he heard emerging talent Cooper Leach had suffered a knee injury playing for Grovedale.
The youngster was forced from the ground early in the GFNL senior clash between the Tigers and Lara on Sunday.
Scans confirmed earlier this week the Falcons and Grovedale’s worst fears that Leach had torn his anterior cruciate ligament.
Leach wasn’t even on the Falcons’ radar until the Tigers reached out during the pre-season to push his case.
“It’s a been whirlwind for him, firstly coming into our program and being really good for us and playing those couple of Coates League games,” Corrigan said.
“He got a Vic Country trial call-up, which is unbelievable.
“Unfortunately, when he played on the weekend, he hurt his knee.
“That’s footy; it happens.”
Corrigan says with his season wiped out, Leach is the ideal candidate to return as a 19-year-old in 2025.
“He’s the perfect 19-year-old for us next year,” Corrigan said.
“You never want to see it happen to anyone, but when they’ve hit the ground running and made an impact, and they’re shot down with something like that, it’s pretty cruel.”
Corrigan also won’t be able to consider Bannockburn duo Ryan Perkins (broken arm) and Leigham Elzinga (concussion), Lara’s Josh Sanders (medial ligament) and Geelong Amateur’s Spencer Jones (hamstring).
Perkins had a plate inserted after suffering the break in the Tigers’ Anzac Day GDFNL win over Inverleigh.
“It’s actually a bit better news; I think he’ll be 4-6 (weeks),” Corrigan said.
“If it was really late in the season and you made finals, you could probably get him back in 2-3.
“Because it’s the start of the year, we’ll take our time with him, make sure everything’s good, and get him back in the frame when he’s ready to go again.”
Corrigan will also be without the Falcons’ Geelong College and Geelong Grammar contingent with the APS season underway, with the local derby being played at Grammar this week.
The Falcons, who are unbeaten through their opening three games host the Calder Cannons at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
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