THE family of a young footballer is thankful that his neck injury isn’t as bad as first thought.
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Lavington thirds player Ashleigh Crow is in a neck brace and will likely miss the rest of the season.
But Crow’s grandfather Bill Scammell admitted that the incident in Saturday’s under-18s match with Wangaratta at the Norm Minns Oval could have been much worse.
“He said to me that he knew straight away something wasn’t right,” Scammell said.
“He’s still pretty sore (but) it was one of those things that happens in a game of footy.”
While the 16-year-old will have follow-up scans next week to determine the full extent of the injury, it’s believed there’s no permanent damage to his neck and he will be able to play again.
Crow was about to pick up the ball when he collided with a Magpies opponent and received a free kick.
Trainers from both clubs refused to move the youngster until the ambulance arrived and transported him to hospital in Wangaratta.
At the time of the incident – approximately 17 minutes into the second quarter - Wangaratta led 5.3-33 to Lavington’s 3.3-21.
But the match was abandoned and declared a draw.
This was because the incident occurred before halftime, with both clubs receiving two points.
If it was called off after halftime, the team in front when the game was called off would have received the four points.
Scammell said the family couldn’t fault the way the situation was handled by all concerned.
“We are just thankful that it’s not more serious than it could have been,” Scammell said.
“The trainers from Lavington and Wangaratta both did a terrific job and the family is very thankful.”
A student at Murray High School, Crow has played 10 games for the Panthers thirds this year.
While his season is likely over, the young back pocket is expected to make a full recovery.
Ovens and Murray league general manager Aaron McGlynn praised both clubs - and the umpires - for the way they handled a delicate situation.
And he said calling the game off was the right call.
“The primary concern at the time was the player’s welfare,” McGlynn said.
“The umpire and both clubs handled themselves extremely well.”
It was the first time a game had been called off since last year.
Albury’s James McQuillan suffered a serious spinal injury in a senior game against Yarrawonga.
McQuillan became a quadriplegic after the routine collision at Albury Sportsground on April 5.
Scans revealed that McQuillan had sustained an unstable fracture which caused severe spinal cord damage.
He underwent surgery to decompress the spinal cord and stabilise his neck as to not cause further damage.
Doctors have told McQuillan that he will most likely not walk again.
