A FREAK accident has ended the season of Corowa-Rutherglen young gun Hayden Filliponi.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Filliponi, 20, recently ruptured both his anterior cruciate and medial ligaments at a party after one of his mates accidentally fell across his leg.
His specialist in Melbourne yesterday confirmed he would need a reconstruction on his left knee and booked him in for April 1.
The injury is a huge blow for the promising youngster, who had a breakout season in the Roos’ midfield last year to finish fourth in the club’s best and fairest.
“I was at a party and one of my bigger mates fell on my leg,” Filliponi said.
“My leg just went in the wrong direction and I heard the dreaded two pops, which is usually a good indicator you have done something bad.
“It’s a bit embarrassing how it happened but I’ve got to live with it now.
“I saw the specialist today and I suppose the good news is I can have the reconstruction pretty much straight away.”
Filliponi thrived under coach Bryce Campbell last season to play every match.
The midfielder was also dangerous when resting forward and booted 17 goals to finish third in the club’s goalkicking behind key forward Luke Gestier and James Svarc.
“It’s pretty disappointing to know I’m going to miss the year,” he said.
“I was looking forward to the season, especially with the recruits and there was a real buzz around the place for the season ahead.
“It was the best pre-season I’ve ever had and I was planning to spend as much time in the midfield as I could this season.
“I will definitely stick around the club and help out as much as I can with the seconds and thirds.
“Hopefully I can have an off-field role with the seniors as well and learn as much as I can.”
Filliponi won the 2012 Rising Star and his injury setback continues a roller coaster off-season at John Foord Oval.
While Sam Carpenter, Lachie Longmire, Lee Schmidt and Luke Moloney, who has returned after a season off, will be valuable additions, they have been offset by the exits of captain Jamie Seymour, Lachie McLarty, Mick Collins, Sean Kelly and Michael Kinsella.