A rare neck injury suffered at training has ended the season of Geelong AFLW defender Georgie Rankin before the season even starts.
Rankin has been placed on the club’s inactive list after scans revealed she had suffered a carotid artery dissection, a small tear in the wall of an artery in her neck after receiving an accidental elbow during training.
The Cats’ medical staff sent Rankin to hospital for further assessment following their initial examination, where the full extent of the injury was revealed.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that Georgie will miss the season,” AFLW boss Dom Condo said.
“Our priority is Georgie’s health and wellbeing, and as a Club we are committed to supporting her throughout her recovery and ensuring she returns to full health.
“”I want to acknowledge the work of our medical team, whose thorough assessment ensured Georgie received prompt and specialist care.”
While Rankin won’t take the field this year, she will remain involved with the AFLW program during her rehabilitation.
“She’ll remain an important part of our program and will stay connected to the group as she continues her recovery,” Condo said.
A talented basketballer, Rankin, whose great-great-grandfather Teddy Rankin played for the Cats, joined Geelong as a cross-code signing ahead of its entry into the AFLW competition in 2019.
She was part of the inaugural team that defeated Collingwood and has since made 66 appearances in the Hoops.
The Cats are now expected to begin the process of securing a replacement player ahead of their opening match of the 2026 AFLW season.
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