Alex Woodward facing prospect of fifth knee reconstruction

Collingwood VFL midfielder Alex Woodward is set to undergo a fifth knee reconstruction after he was left inconsolable late in the Magpies’ defeat against Box Hill Hawks.

Alex Woodward in the hands of trainers. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Box Hill Hawks will have a shot at back-to-back VFL premierships but their concern was for Alex Woodward on Saturday.

Woodward is facing the prospect of a fifth knee reconstruction.

Woodward, 26, went down clutching his knee in the final moments of Box Hill’s win over Collingwood on Saturday.

This photo by @EverArtImages highlights the respect and high esteem for @AlexWoodwardd in the #VFL competition.

Rivalries and result put aside in the final term today to support an injured current / former teammate of @CollingwoodVFL and @BoxHillHawks players. pic.twitter.com/95zsY9HL1t

— #VFL / #VFLW (@VFL) August 24, 2019

With the match on the line Pies VFL coach Jared Rivers left the coaching box yesterday to console the injured Alex Woodward in the rooms at City Oval. And Hawks coach Max Bailey was in the Collingwood rooms straight after the siren checking on his former teammate. Two class acts.

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) August 25, 2019

Pies VFL coach Jared Rivers has told me it’s a confirmed fifth knee for Woodward. Absolutely shattering. #GoPies https://t.co/SF1g1JV1Id

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) August 24, 2019

Magpies VFL coach Jared Rivers confirmed the 2014 J.J. Liston Trophy winner had again ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Woodward will be one of the leading contenders for the VFL’s highest individual honour when the votes are counted on September 9.

He colleted 31 disposals and was listed in Collingwood’s best players.

Woodward played two games at Hawthorn in 2014 but his career has been punctuated by a series of injury setbacks.

Alex Woodward come from the ground. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Box Hill captain Andrew Moore said the come-from-behind 19-point win was soured by Woodward’s news.

“No one likes to see any injury, and especially the hard times Alex has been through the past couple of years,” Moore said.

“To see that, it is heartbreaking and thoughts and well wishes go out to him.”

Both teams consoled the star midfielder as they left Box Hill City Oval.

“Football is bigger than just a game, we all love to go out there and compete but we’re all there for the same reasons,” he said.

“They’re great blokes and we often know most the players we come up against. It is sad news but we are all a big community and one big family in football.”

Alex Woodward collects another possession. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Box Hill had to win its final home-and-away game to dislodge Casey Demons from eighth spot on the ladder.

It trailed by 19 points at the final change but finished with a 11.10 (76) to 7.15 (57) win.

The Hawks had the breeze in the final term and capitalised to kick seven goals to one. Collingwood kicked 4.11 in the two terms it had the wind.

Box Hill won last year’s flag from outside the top four and it will have to do likewise this finals series.

“It’s going to be tough,” Moore said.
“It was extremely tough last year. It’s do or die for every round we’re going to come up against … it’s been like that for the last couple of weeks.”

Box Hill will meet Werribee in the first week of finals.

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