A SICKENING broken leg to Jesse Johnston marred Murray Magpies’ win over Rand-Walbundrie-Walla on Saturday.
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Play was suspended early in the last quarter after Johnston, who had been one of the Magpies’ best players with four goals, clashed legs with a Giants defender.
It took almost 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the Walla Sportsground and with the Magpies leading by 65 points when the incident happened, the match was abandoned.
Chairman of the Magpies’ match committee Corey Lambert said it was a shattering a blow for Johnston, who is among the favourites to take home the Azzi Medal and was a key to the club’s prospects in September.
Lambert, who is a Western Bulldogs fan, said the injury appeared similar to the horrendous break of Mitch Wallis against St Kilda recently.
“The guys that were out there said it was hard to watch,” he said.
“It’s a shame because he was having such a great year and is such an integral part of our team. We will miss him.
“The big fella was having a great game and the injury happened when he was going back courageously with the flight of the ball, which he always does.
“He didn’t have the pain Mitch Wallis had, which was great, but he was on the deck for 45 minutes, if not longer, before he took off in the ambulance. It’s not good.”
It is the second time in just over a year that a Magpies match has been abandoned due to a serious broken leg after Henty champion Brent Piltz went down at Urana Rd Oval last season.
Lambert said it was the right decision to stop the match early and was hopeful the Magpies could overcome the setback to keep their place in the top two.
“We’ve been very lucky as a club, Zac Doyle with a hammy is our only other injury, so to have an injury like this come along has hit us quite hard,” he said.
“It’s going to take a strong mindset and a positive attitude and it’s something that (coach Josh Maher) and myself have already spoken to the guys about.”
In other matches, Jindera prevailed in a war of attrition against Howlong.
The sides could manage just five goals between them in abysmal conditions at Jindera but the determination of Kris Holman and Kurt Brereton got the Bulldogs over the line.
Troy Price and Peter Hancock were dogged for the Spiders, who look destined for an elimination final showdown against CDHBU.
Not for the first time this season, Brock-Burrum was forced to charge home in the final quarter to keep its undefeated record intact.
A spirited Henty led the Saints for the three quarters before a five-goal-to-one final term sealed a 22-point win. Nick Brockley bagged nine goals for Brock-Burrum.
Lockhart kepts its finals hopes alive with a six-goal victory over Culcairn on the back of strong performances from Andrew Emery and Wylie Harrington.
Osborne belted the Billabong Crows by 84 points with Sam Rutland best-on-ground for the Cats.
Matt Walker kicked seven goals as CDHBU pounded Holbrook by 100 points.