ST JOSEPH’S coach Paul Carson “is expecting the worst but hoping for the best” after Ben Miller suffered a suspected serious knee injury during Sunday’s practice match win over VAFA club St Kevin’s.
The Dimboola recruit is expected to undergo scans on Monday afternoon, with fears he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg in the second quarter of the clash at Drew Oval.
“Benny had the footy on our half-back flank, and he just propped and turned, and it looks like his left leg got stuck in the grass,” Carson said.
“He was tackled at the time, and he’s gone down.
“It was exactly how you think a knew would be done; that planted foot just didn’t move.
“We’ll have an outcome for him and know where he’s at in a couple of days.”
The 22-year-old, who had a season with SANFL club West Adelaide in 2018, has impressed all at Joeys since joining the club before Christmas.
“He’s been fantastic for our group; he’s really invested himself since day dot,” Carson said.
“He’s a ripping guy, he has a really positive outlook, and he asks lots of questions.
“He’s done extra work with ‘Buddha’ (assistant coach Garry Hocking), he’s really bought into what we’re about, and that makes it hard to swallow.
“Ben’s relocated his life to live in Geelong with his partner. He’s working down here now, and he wanted to have a crack at GFL footy.
“He’s dedicated himself over the last 3-4 months to be part of our group.”
It continues a tough run for St Joseph’s recruits and knee injuries, with Koroit export Levi Nagorcka suffering a ruptured ACL at training in the build-up to the 2019 season.
“Levi’s was at training, but it was the exact same (action) of plant your feet and not move, and the knee gives way,” Carson said.
“A couple of gun recruits to our club haven’t been able to fire a shot.”
In better news for St Joseph’s, triple-premiership winner Riley Kershaw made a successful return from his own knee reconstruction against St Kevin’s.
The 27-year-old hadn’t played since suffering a ruptured ACL in Round 15 of the 2019 season.
“He’ll admit he was a little bit rusty, but it’s been 18 months,” Carson said.
“He looked really strong, moving really well; he’ll be better for the run.
“He said after the game that he needed that run for his confidence and for his mental state.”
Kieren Paliouras is also making progress on a ruptured ACL suffered playing basketball in January last year.
He took part in Joeys’ match simulation with Bellarine League club Anglesea earlier this month and is set to line-up in Saturday’s practice match against Werribee Districts.
Twitter: @tom_king79
