GWS co-captain Phil Davis offers support to injured Brighton footballer Harrison Wakefield
GREATER Western Sydney co-captain Phil Davis is helping Brighton footballer Harrison Wakefield recover from a ruptured spleen and torn kidney.
A GREATER Western Sydney footballer is helping Harrison Wakefield recover from a ruptured spleen and torn kidney.
Wakefield, 20, has kept in regular contact with Giants co-captain Phil Davis since being hospitalised after he was injured playing for Brighton on April 26.
Davis, a former Adelaide Crow, has been sidelined since he sustained a similar injury from a knock to the kidney in round one of the AFL season.
The pair connected after Wakefield’s dad Jeff asked the Giants if Davis could send a message of support.
“When the call came through I thought it was one of my mates mucking around,” Wakefield says.
“Probably once a week now Phil will ask how the recovery’s going.
“He’s also sent down a signed guernsey, which says ‘to Harrison, stay strong and be positive’.”
Wakefield, of South Brighton, has hardly left the house, had to defer his Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) studies and has been told he cannot play again this season.
He says Davis’s support has been invaluable.
“He’s definitely gone out of his way because he didn’t have to do any of this.”
Wakefield’s injury was sustained when he copped a knee to the stomach and a knock to the back during Brighton’s Southern Football League B-grade match against Morphett Vale.
He initially hoped it was a cracked rib but soon learnt it was more severe.
“I had a grade four rupture to the spleen, which is pretty much as bad as it gets without having to take the spleen out, then a grade three tear to the kidney as well,” says Wakefield, who spent 12 days in hospital.
“It was an experience, that’s for sure.”
Wakefield says he is champing at the bit to play again next year.
“I wrote down on a mirror in my bedroom January 9 because that’s my target for full contact training.
“I miss running around having a kick with my mates.”
Davis plans to stay in touch with Wakefield.
“I like to keep tabs on how he is travelling,” Davis says.