GEELONG Falcons coach Paul Corrigan is hopeful vice-captain Ash Van Loon will be seen this NAB League Girls season again, with a meeting with the surgeon to determine her rehabilitation from a knee injury.
It was initially feared the Vic Country Academy member had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament when she was forced from the field during the first quarter of last week’s win over the Murray Bushrangers.
“We were a bit concerned it might have been a full ACL, which would have wiped her out for 12 months,” Corrigan said.
“That was pleasing to see that was still intact.
“We’ll just wait and see what other damage there around the knee with maybe a meniscus and see if she needs to have that repaired or it will repair by itself.”
Corrigan is preparing to be without Van Loon for at least a fortnight, with the hope she will feature in the second half of the 10-round competition.
“We’ll get more confirmation today, and then we’ll put her in a program that is suited to what that looks like,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to her and said, ‘whatever the outcome, we’ll just take it as it is, and work from there’.”
The Falcons travel to Craigieburn’s Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday for a clash with the winless Gippsland Power.
The Power have had a tough start to the season.
They suffered a 59-point loss to GWV Rebels in Round 1 and were on the wrong end of the highest score (22.17.149) and biggest winning margin (135 points) in NAB League Girls history last week.
However, Corrigan says the Falcons won’t be underestimating the Power.
“Dandenong are a gun side, and they belted us, and they belted Gippsland as well,” he said.
“We will be prepared for what they give to us.
“We were excited by what we were able to produce last week against Murray, and hopefully, we can keep growing and improving each week.
“And keep getting games into our younger girls as well.”
The Falcons will unveil four debutants, with Sienna Mallon (Colac Imperials), Sophie Mahar (Torquay), and Newtown & Chilwell duo Ebony McLean and Macy Farvis all named to take on the Power.
Twitter: @tom_king79
NAB LEAGUE GIRLS ROUND 3
GEELONG FALCONS (10th) vs. GIPPSLAND POWER (13th)
Highgate Recreation Reserve – Craigieburn
Sunday, February 6, 3:00pm
[supsystic-tables id=’26’]
