Karingal champ Luke Van Raay wants to continue his 283-game career after knee injury

KARINGAL champion Luke Van Raay is determined not to let a ruptured ACL end his stellar career on 283 games.

Karingal champion Luke Van Raay gets a handball away against Seaford last season. Picture: David Trend

KARINGAL champion Luke Van Raay is determined not to let a ruptured ACL end his stellar career on 283 games.

The 35-year-old will have a knee reconstruction tomorrow (Friday) and faces a long rehabilitation.

Upbeat, he wants to pull on the red and white jumper again.

“Either way I think 300 will be gone but that’s not the issue from my side of it,” he said.

“I’m more keen to play in the new rooms, from a selfish perspective. I’ve done my dues in the old rooms, mate, I’d like to at least have a few games in the new change rooms and enjoy that.”

Karingal hearts sank when wholehearted Luke went down clutching his knee against Chelsea three weeks ago.

As he tackled an opponent, he heard a “pop” and “sort of knew”.

“I heard the noise. I’ve never experienced anything like that,” he said.

Van Raay says apart from two hernia operations he’s been lucky to avoid injuries during his footy career.

Along with his great mate Michael Burke, Van Raay has been the heart and soul of Karingal footy for many, many seasons.

“I love it. I’m not the player I used to be. But as long as I’m useful I’d like to play (again),’’ Van Raay said.

“Obviously playing with Burkey, we love it but I suppose if he was to retire it makes it hard being the token old bastard, but I still love.

Luke Van Raay wins the tap. Picture: David Trend

Van Raay said he’s been heartened and intrigued by the reaction of people after his knee injury. He says it’s not the end of the world.

“To be honest people get a bit morbid about it around you,” he said.

“I think they watch too much TV and they see Bob Murphy or someone go down and it’s heartbreaking because they’re in tears on the boundary. That might be their career but it’s their actual career that’s on the line. But for us mere mortals it’s just a pastime - we love it - but our life goes on. I didn’t consider retiring, it didn’t cross my mind once. I’ll either come up and I’ll be useful next year or the rehab won’t go as well and I won’t be able to play. My body will make that call but the mind is still willing.”

Karingal coach Andrew Sharp said Van Raay had been a fantastic player for the Bulls this season.

“He’s a really passionate person about his footy and the footy club and it wouldn’t surprise me if he came back,’’ he said.