THE decorated playing career of Brent Piltz appears to be over after suffering a broken leg.
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Piltz, 36, went down late in the final-quarter against Murray Magpies at Urana Road Oval after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.
Play was suspended for nearly 30 minutes as players waited for an ambulance to arrive with Piltz unable to be moved.
Officials decided to abandon the match with the Magpies leading by one point with about seven minutes remaining on the clock.
Magpies coach Corey Lambert best summed up the sentiments in his post match speech to the players.
“It’s not how you like to win a match,” Lambert said.
“It’s a cruel blow because Piltzy is a legend in country football and has done more than most players throughout his career.”
Piltz led the Swampies to a drought-breaking flag last season in his third season at the helm after a glittering Ovens and Murray career.
He spent 12 years with North Albury as well as having stints with Myrtleford (2005 and 2006) and Sydney (2001).
The raking left-footer played in flags with the Hoppers in 1999 and 2002 and was runner-up in 2000, 2004 and 2007.
Piltz also played in two heart-breaking grand final losses with Myrtleford in 2005 and 2006.
The star defender took out the Saints best and fairest in 2006 and managed a senior match for Sydney against Essendon in 2001.
After trailing by two goals at the first break, the Magpies fought their way back into the contest mainly through the efforts of Josh Senior, Ash Murray and David Oates.
Senior mopped up superbly across half-back and relished the freedom in defence with key defenders Alex Freeman and Ryan Johnson returning from injury.
Murray was once again menacing in attack with eight goals and provided a lively and deadly accurate forward target.
The burly forward has booted 29 goals in the past month to take his season tally to 59 goals to bring the magical 100 goal milestone into a realistic target.
Some of the gloss was taken off the win after high-profile recruit Josh Maher suffered a knee injury.
Maher spent the second-half on the interchange icing his knee and looks a doubtful starter for the Magpies clash against Culcairn this weekend.
Henty went into the match without key forwards Shannon Terlich and Ryan Quade with small forward Matt Liddle also missing.
Key defender Josh Spencer also hobbled from the ground late in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
The Swampies are set to regain young gun Harrison Macreadie in coming weeks with his commitments to the NSW/ACT Rams almost complete.
Magpies defender Zac Doyle played seconds on the weekend after being disciplined by club officials.