ST ALBANS has suffered a shattering blow less than two months out from the opening of the new GFNL season after scans confirmed gun youngster Brock McDonald suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The 19-year-old, who finished third in last year’s club best-and-fairest, went down after laying a tackle during a drill at training at Breakwater Reserve last Wednesday.
“We’re all in a little bit of shock,” coach Alex Tortora said.
“We’re looking out for Brock at the moment, making sure he’s being looked after and he has what he needs.
“The club’s very supportive of making sure he gets what he needs to get through is.
“We’re really devastated as a club to have this happen.”
Like so many ruptured ACLs, Tortora says the incident was innocuous.
“It was a really simple tackling drill that we’ve done a thousand times over pre-season,” he said.
“He was just trying to bring someone to the ground and his leg got caught under him, and then the rupture occurred.”
McDonald was one of only five Supersaints to play every game in 2022, bringing his senior tally since debuting as a 17-year-old in 2021 to 27 matches.
“He played a really, really important role for us as an on-baller, run-with kind of player, and we were looking forward to him taking the next step,” Tortora.
“His pre-season to that point had been flawless.
“He got stronger, and we were expecting him to take another step this year.
“It’s a blow, but it’s an opportunity for someone else to, hopefully, step up and fill the void that he’s definitely going to leave.”
Tortora also revealed reigning best-and-fairest Sam Dongean is battling a back complaint.
The Ocean Grove product has been training with Geelong’s VFL team
“We’re hoping to have him available for selection come Round 1,” Tortora said. “We’re hoping it’s not too serious.
“He’s being looked after by Geelong, so he’s in good hands.
“We feel like he’ll be Round 1 or Round 2.”
Twitter: @krockfootball
