Sturt’s Blake Kennedy in hospital after copping serious injuries against North Adelaide
STURT’S Blake Kennedy thought he had damaged his ribs against North Adelaide, but the injuries were far worse.
STURT reserves premiership player Blake Kennedy is in danger of losing a kidney after being accidentally kneed in the clash against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Sunday.
The 22-year old has blood leaking from the left kidney and scans on Monday will determine whether it will be removed.
Twenty per cent of the kidney has already died, but Kennedy is confident doctors won’t have to take drastic action. He had surgery on Wednesday to have a ureteral stent inserted, which will remain in place for two months, while he also has a partially collapsed lung.
Kennedy initially thought he had damaged ribs in the incident in the third quarter of the reserves game, such was the agony.
But when his urine contained a “lot of blood” he was taken to hospital in an ambulance and scans revealed the kidney damage.
“When the game finished we were shaking hands and the pain was overwhelming and it was difficult to breathe, I was certain it was my ribs,” Kennedy said.
“We organised a lift to hospital to get an X-ray, but our head trainer Nick Swingler would not let me go until we saw if there was blood in my urine.
“I was frustrated because I just wanted to get an X-ray and get home, I was in so much pain. I forced myself to go to the toilet and there was a lot of blood. I walked out shocked and worried.”
The injury happened just five days after the funeral of his grandmother Brenda. Kennedy moved to Adelaide from the Sunshine Coast in 2014 after finishing school to care for his grandmother.
“It has been a very emotional week, very difficult,” said Kennedy, who earned a spot with the Double Blues after a trial in 2016 and played in the reserves flag last year. “I’ve not had the chance to think about it all, dealing with the pain.
“I’m still waiting to see if they have to remove the kidney, but I feel they will avoid that because 80 per cent is still functioning. At the moment they can’t tell, it is a waiting game.”
Kennedy’s sister Amy flew from Queensland on Monday morning and his mother Michele followed that evening. He has also had visits from Double Blues coaches Marty Mattner and Chris Trapp as well as teammates and will be in hospital until at least next week.
As for his football career, that has not been given any thought. He knows what his family wants and that is no more. And all the doctors keep telling him no more, which annoys him.
“Obviously this season is over and I’ll think about it over the time I’m recovering,” Kennedy said. “The support I’ve had from the Sturt Football Club has been overwhelming.”