GEELONG has suffered a significant blow on the eve of its second AFLW campaign with reigning best-and-fairest Meg McDonald set to miss the first half of the season with a broken finger.
McDonald, who was the Cats’ first All-Australian last year, underwent surgery on Friday to stabilise the fracture.
“There is no doubt it’s disappointing for Meg to sustain an injury so close to the beginning of the season,” Geelong’s Head of Women’s Football Simone Bellears said.
“But we are confident she will do all she can to return to the field as soon as possible.”
McDonald was voted into the Cats’ leadership group for 2020 and was named vice-captain to Mel Hickey earlier this month.
Teammate and good friend Aasta O’Connor admits it’s a blow just nine days out from the season opener against Fremantle.
“Meg’s a really important part of our group,” she said. “Whether she’s two weeks out, three weeks out, whatever she is, I know she will come back, and she will be ready and firing; the fire will be in the belly.
“Personally, as a mate of Meg’s, it’s hard to see when you see your mate go down.
“But, it’s the game, and the reality is injuries are a part of it.
“It will be business as usual for us; we’ll get on with it, as will Meg.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
