AFLW 2024: Bryde O’Rourke suffers shoulder injury on debut for Geelong

After a touching pre-match jumper presentation from dad and ex-Cat Ray, Bryde O’Rourke’s debut in hoops took a sour turn just minutes after she stepped on field.

Geelong debutant Bryde O'Rourke poses with her sister Ireland, mother Marge and father Ray O'Rourke. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was a night which started with great promise for Geelong father-daughter debutant Bryde O’Rourke.

Taken with pick 23 in last year’s draft, Bryde, the daughter of former Cat Ray, was given her chance to play her first AFLW game for the team she grew up supporting on Tuesday night against Fremantle, one of three inclusions for the Cats.

In a touching moment pre-match, it was dad Ray who would present his daughter her number 23 jumper, 55 years after he first played for the club in 1969.

Former Geelong player Ray O'Rourke (right) presents his daughter Bryde with her first jumper ahead of Tuesday’s game against Fremantle. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Speaking in the rooms, Ray said it was a “great honour” for him to speak in front of the playing group, adding Bryde was “a credit to yourself” for her determination to overcome things.

He would go on to detail some of his history with the club, before offering some sound advice to his daughter.

“Every time you pull that on your back, you say to yourself, ‘I will never, ever let this jumper down’, go for it darling,” Ray said.

Bryde O'Rourke is seen on the bench with Geelong staff. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A big cheer from the crowd rung out as O’Rourke stepped foot on GMHBA Stadium for the first time midway through the first quarter, but the 18-year-0ld’s night quickly turned sour after injuring her shoulder in a tackle just minutes into her debut.

“She laid a tackle and got a bit of a knock on her AC (joint) and it gave her a bit of a stinger there, had it strapped up,” coach Dan Lowther said post-match.

“It was a low-grade hit to her shoulder so hopefully she can get through the week and maybe front up for the Swans (on Sunday).

“Pre-game stuff was exciting for her, her dad gave a fantastic jumper presentation, the history of him playing at the club was really great as well.

“That was a great moment, and it was a bit sour (after) but she still looks like she’s going to have an impact in the season which is great.”

Bryde O'Rourke returns to the ground with her shoulder strapped up. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

O’Rourke fought through her discomfort in the second and third quarters to return to the field, though she visibly looked hampered as she favoured her left shoulder while it appeared she also couldn’t lift her arm above her head, limiting her ability to mark or spoil the football.

A highlight was a pinpoint kick-in from the forward pocket boundary into the goalsquare, though O’Rourke would eventually spend the final quarter on the bench with two disposals, one intercept, a tackle and a score involvement to her name, as the Cats fell by 18-points to the visiting Dockers.

Lowther said, with O’Rourke’s discomfort, it was not worth the risk playing her in the final quarter, adding the “right thing to do” was give her a breather.

The teenager appeared in good spirits post-match though, returning to the race after the team’s warm down to greet and sign fans’ gear.

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Bryde O’Rourke suffers shoulder injury on debut for Geelong