Northern Football League great suffers season-ending injury

Northern Football League games-record holder Daniel Keenan’s glittering career looks set to end in the worst possible way, a season-ending injury.

Daniel Keenan runs through the banner for his 400th game. Picture: Hamish Blair

Northern Football League games-record holder Daniel Keenan’s glittering career appears over.

The Hurstbridge and Montmorency great ruptured his Achilles tendon on a day out with his family last month and underwent surgery.

It will require a 12-month rehabilitation and Keenan will be 40 before he is able to play again.

Keenan had been set to return in 2021, determined not to let the cancelled 2020 season end his career, before fate intervened.

The star midfielder has played 402 senior games for the Bridges and Magpies, won two Rosbrook Medals, three club best-and-fairests and been named in the Team of the Year on five occasions.

Daniel Keenan in action for Montmorency. Picture: Steve Tanner

Daniel Keenan at Hurstbridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

While he’d never say never, Keenan was realistic when considering his future.

“It’s pretty much a 12-month recovery, so no football this year, I’ll be 40 before I can play again and after two years off it’s not likely I’ll play again,” he said.

“It’s certainly not the fairytale, it is what it is.

“I’ve been really lucky with injuries, if I balance this out over the last 21-22 years I’ve done pretty well.”

Keenan was enjoying a day out with his family during the summer school holidays at indoor adventure centre Latitude.

Attempting to complete a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course, Keenan hoped he’s only rolled his ankle but quickly realised it was more serious.

“They got a little obstacle course and I was trying to do the warped wall and on my second attempt I ruptured my Achilles,” he said.

“It was actually painless, when I did it, I hoped I’d just rolled my ankle but I could feel my tendon was slightly displaced. It was ripped off the bone.

“The whole family was there, the son was pretty heartbroken because he enjoys the whole football thing every Saturday, while my six-year-old daughter was just disappointed she had to leave early.

“I was lucky to enough to get operated on within 24 hours and it’s just a matter of the long recovery.”

Keenan has returned to Bridges training but isn’t looking forward to watching on from the sidelines this season.

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“They were all pretty upset for me, I went down to training the other week and felt the love,” he said.

“It’s a bit hard to watch, I’d much rather be running around, so I’ll go down when I can but I’m not sure how I’m going to go feel watching football to be honest.”

He can lean on Bridges teammate and now assistant coach Brayden Shaw for advice having gone through a similar loss of football due to injury.

Hurstbridge coach Jarrod Tilley said he would look to honour Keenan’s significant contribution to the club and league during the season.