Woodville-West Torrens footballer James Rowe’s Bali scooter accident went from knee injury to infection

A misadventure in Bali has left Woodville-West Torrens player James Rowe with an injury-turned-infection, with his knee swollen “to the size of a watermelon”.

Former Adelaide Crows forward James Rowe is recuperating after a Bali scooter crash left his knee swollen to “the size of a watermelon”.

Rowe played two seasons with the Adelaide Crows in 2021 and 2022 and is now contracted to Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL.

His father Stephen Rowe, who also played for the Crows, told FIVEaa on Monday that his son was holidaying in Bali a week ago and was taken to hospital needing stitches.

James Rowe during his playing days with the Adelaide Crows. Picture: Supplied

He said on arriving back, Rowe went swimming in the River Murray on November 18 with friend and former teammate Harry Schoenberg, despite having an open wound.

“Within four hours of swimming, his knee swelled up like a balloon,” Mr Rowe said.

“Lucky Harry Schoenberg’s dad’s had a similar infection and took him straight to the hospital … it was the size of a watermelon and he couldn’t walk.”

Mr Rowe said he took his son to Royal Adelaide Hospital but they left after an extended wait.

However, they were back in hospital the next day after his condition worsened.

“We spent last Sunday in hospital, James was treated and then sent home, homecare nurses looked after him … probably should have booked him into a private hospital,” Mr Rowe said.

“After about five antibiotics, he was rushed to hospital on Thursday, his leg just looked awful, the infection was growing.

“They admitted him in and there was a bit more urgency, he had MRIs and ultrasounds, there were surgeons, there were swabs and cultures.”

Mr Rowe said while his son was now at home recovering with an IV drip, “he’s got a fair fight on his hands”.

He also praised the emergency services and medical staff who looked after him.

“They need our gratitude because they save lives, every single second of the day,” he said.

“I don’t know what they pay them, but they’re not getting enough.

“(James has) still got a bit of a battle on his hands, but there are a few lessons there, and if people are listening, do not swim in the Murray with any open cut.”

Woodville-West Torrens chief executive David Couzner said the club was confident we would be back in training “within the next few weeks”.

“He’s gone into pre-season pretty fit, he’s spending a lot of time in the club on Saturday morning’s, so he’s pretty conditioned,” Mr Couzner said.

“This is obviously not ideal, but we hope within the new weeks he’ll be on the field and back to his usual self.”