Outer East league: Seville captain Nathan O’Keefe to miss the rest of 2022

The Outer East Division 1 flag favourites have suffered a sledgehammer blow, losing their captain and best player to serious injury.

Nathan O'keefe celebrates a last quarter goal in the 2019 grand final. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“He’s the heart and soul of the club and everyone’s shattered for him,” Seville coach Chris Murphy said of Blues captain Nathan O’Keefe, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

The former North Melbourne player hurt his knee in the opening quarter against Belgrave last week.

On Friday, his worst fears were realised when scans revealed he’d suffered a ruptured ACL as well as medial ligament damage.

Murphy said undefeated Seville would look to others to step up in O’Keefe’s absence as the Blues chase premiership glory in Outer East Division 1.

“We’ll have to do a significant restructure of our forward line,” he said.

“He’s definitely the best player in the competition by a mile so it’s just a kick in the guts for him personally and for us but we have to move on and I’ll get him to help me with the board and he can run the forward line now.”

Rob Petracca.

Murphy said Rob Petracca, the elder brother of Melbourne star Christian, had put his hand up to help fill O’Keefe’s big shoes.

“We’ve got a few big targets up forward, we’ve just got to share the workload,” Murphy said.

“But probably Petracca we’re really leaning on now.”

On Saturday, Seville made it eight-from-eight with a 38-point win over Berwick Springs, 15.7 (97) to 8.11 (59).

Josh Weightman was Seville’s best player, despite being tagged after quarter time.

Jake Strachan, Jack Nolan, Brendan Dickinson, Alex Condello and Daniel Iacuone were also named in the Blues’ best.

Centre half-forward Dickinson, Petracca and Mark Cecere kicked three goals apiece, Petracca livening up a cold afternoon with some good natured banter with the crowd.

“He always gives it to the opposition crowd because they tease him about his name and then he kicks a goal and gives it back to them,” Murphy said.

“It’s good local footy banter, it’s great.”

Berwick Springs had a dip, with Daniel Ousley, Jarrod Hocking, Thomas Nelson, Daymon Hutchison, Rhys Fletcher and Blake Simondson listed in their best players.

Murphy said the Titans were an emerging side.

“It was a danger game for us, I think Berwick Springs are going pretty good, I think they’re going to be up there in the finals,’’ Murphy said.

“We got out of the blocks early, got a margin on the board and in the second quarter they came out and gave us everything they’ve got, it was game on.”

Seville sits a game clear of Emerald on the ladder, with Gembrook Cockatoo and Healesville next.