EFL: North Ringwood footballer Darcy Harris ruled out indefinitely after head clash

NORTH Ringwood footballer Darcy Harris has been ruled out indefinitely after a sickening head clash against Doncaster but is expected to make a full recovery.

North Ringwood footballer Darcy Harris. Picture: Davis Harrigan

NORTH Ringwood footballer Darcy Harris has been ruled out indefinitely after a sickening head clash during Saturday’s match against Doncaster but is expected to make a full recovery.

Harris was knocked out after colliding with teammate Aaron Fenton when the two were competing for a loose ball early in the first quarter.

Harris was knocked unconscious from the hit and taken to Maroondah Hospital by ambulance but returned home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The game was stopped for about 20 minutes.

Scans cleared the Saints junior, who was in his 10th senior game, of any structural damage but he underwent plastic surgery to insert stitches in his cut lip.

Doncaster moves a game clear in the Division 1 top three

Harris’s father, and North Ringwood acting president Phil Harris, said his son was suffering from a headache on Sunday evening.

“Unfortunately I was watching what was happening so it was a bit distressing,” Harris said.

Darcy Harris in pursuit of the ball. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“Clearly straight after the collision he was unconscious and he took a while to come to, unfortunately.”

Harris said he was grateful for the treatment from the trainers and emergency services who helped his son.

“I think one of the Doncaster players was even assisting him, which was great in terms of sportsmanship and what we want to see on the field,” he said.

“As a parent, it was very reassuring to know he was in capable hands.

“From a club point of view, it was a great relief they were so professional in the way they handled themselves.”

Fenton played out the game and was listed among North Ringwood’s best players in the 83-point loss to the Sharks but Harris said his son had “clearly been flushed” by the hit.

“In terms of what it could have been and what it turned out to be, we think we’re in the lucky stakes,” he said.

“Obviously he is going to have a fair break from footy for a while and we’ll just take the doctor’s orders on that and assess it in a few weeks time.”