JON McCormick’s season is over and his playing future in doubt after tests revealed the Wangaratta champion will need to undergo a knee reconstruction.
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A Carlton Football Club doctor confirmed the Magpies worst fears after meeting with McCormick yesterday afternoon.
The 2007 Morris medal winner injured the knee in an innocuous incident during the third quarter of Wangaratta’s elimination final win over Corowa-Rutherglen on Sunday.
It will be McCormick’s second reconstruction, having suffered the same injury on his other knee in 2005.
Devastated Wangaratta coach Jason Lappin said he wouldn’t be surprised if McCormick, 28, decided not to play football again.
“Why would he keep playing, really,” Lappin said.
“There’s only so much adversity and battering a bloke can take.
“Each week he goes out there and cops an absolute battering from opposition teams … some teams are really good but others go above the rules.
“But he has always just got on with the job and that’s why he’s so respected in the team.
“Stuff like this shouldn’t happen to a bloke like him.”
Lappin dismissed suggestions McCormick’s misfortune would distract the Magpies as they prepare to fight Wodonga for a preliminary final berth on Sunday.
“We’ve dealt with this before when Jon went down in 2005 and if anything I think it will solidify us,” Lappin said.
“We’re not a one-man team.
“With (captain) Judd (Porter) and McCormick off the ground on Sunday, we probably played our best half of footy for the year.
“As disappointing as it is, this is a great opportunity for the rest of the guys.”
The Pies received some good news yesterday with Porter cleared of a serious hamstring injury and expected to be available for selection this week.
Wangaratta is chasing a third consecutive flag to give Lappin, who announced his retirement last month, a fairytale farewell.
Despite McCormick’s loss, the dual premiership coach said the group had a steely resolve to go all the way.
“Knowing this group like I do, I can see there’s a real hunger amongst the guys,” Lappin said.
“They don’t see themselves as a spent force, and neither do I.”
