Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield in hospital with an appendicitis
Just hours after losing Toby Greene to suspension, GWS has been dealt a massive injury blow with superstar Lachie Whitfield to miss the club’s preliminary final with appendicitis.
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GWS Giants say an accidental knee Lachie Whitfield copped to the back from Brisbane star Eric Hipwood is not necessarily linked to the shock appendicitis diagnosis which has sensationally ruled him out of Saturday’s preliminary final.
News Corp revealed this morning that Whitfield is in hospital receiving treatment because of the condition.
Regarded by many experts to be the AFL’s new No.1 player, Whitfield was undergoing surgery on Wednesday morning, with the next 48 hours critical in determining how sore he would be leading into a Grand Final, should the Giants qualify.
However, coach Leon Cameron declared “nothing would hold him back” from the decider.
Its’ been a nightmare 24 hours for GWS, with Toby Greene’s suspension being controversially upheld and Whitfield being rushed to hospital almost simultaneously.
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Whitfield was complaining of soreness on Monday following a nasty but accidental knee he received in the win over the Lions, but GWS medical staff believe the development that he needs his appendix out may just be freakish and horrendous timing.
“Obviously Lachie got hit pretty hard last week in the game, in a fair knock. That’s just the way it is,” said Cameron.
“In terms of trying to say did that lead towards his appendix, I think our doctor said no. I couldn’t tell you.”
Cameron said there was no denying the club was rocked by the extraordinary loss of Whitfield, one of the most influential players in the competition.
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“Lachie went to hospital late (Monday) afternoon. He was complaining of some stomach issues Tuesday morning after a sleepless night Monday night. And then thought it was OK Tuesday,” said Cameron.
“He just progressed in not the right manner we wanted yesterday afternoon, and by about 7-8pm he was in hospital.
“He’s woken up this morning and he’s going to have his appendix out at about 11am today.
“Unfortunately for Lachie he’s not going to play this week.
“We’re not going to sit here and deny that we’re flat that he’s not playing. I’m not going to say he’s happy about this. It is what it is. These things happen. Is it at the wrong time? Yes it is, but he’s old enough and big enough to know his health’s more important than any game of footy.
“We get that done this morning, he’ll recover and he’ll put his hand up if we’re good enough to progress.”
GWS will go back to the tribunal on Thursday night to appeal Greene’s one-match suspension. They’re confident Whitfield will be no worse than one week.
But the question is can GWS progress without at least one – but possibly two – of their best players.
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“We hope so (Whitfield can play grand final). And we’re confident it will be,” said Cameron.
“Clearly the recovery from today to Saturday is too short so he can’t play this weekend. But we’ll be doing everything in our power to A to win on Saturday so it gives Lachie an opportunity to play next weekend, but Lachie himself will be doing everything in his power to recover really well and put himself in the frame next Saturday if we progress through.
“Nothing is going to hold him back.”
Originally published as Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield in hospital with an appendicitis