REIGNING Wangaratta Rovers best and fairest Dylan Stone will be sidelined until midway through next season following major surgery.
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Stone underwent a three-hour operation in Melbourne earlier this week where the femoral bone in his left leg was broken and rotated to fix an abnormality.
“It was a pretty hefty surgery,” the talented midfielder said.
“I had two arthroscopes a few years ago and that’s when they found out it was crooked.
It hasn’t affected my footy but I had to get it done now or my future would have been dark
- Dylan Stone
“I was going to get it done then, but my growth plates weren’t closed.
“It hasn’t affected my footy but I had to get it done now or my future would have been dark.”
Stone, who had the surgery on Monday, enjoyed a break-out season for Wangaratta Rovers with the speedster edging out coach Sam Carpenter for the Bob Rose Medal.
He said it was a relief to have had the operation.
“At least it’s behind me now and I can get the rehab done and get back on the deck,” he said.
“It will probably be seven or eight weeks before I can start moving around much.
“Round nine is my hope for footy but I guess I’ll wait and see it goes.”
The 21-year-old’s injury will test the young Wangaratta Rovers side who look set to rely on their talented under-18 list to push into senior ranks.
Alex Marklew and Lachie Raven have returned to W.J. Findlay Oval.