SFNL: Two clubs will see out the remainder of 2023 without two crucial players

Two of the most prominent players in the SFNL will miss the remainder of the 2023 season after suffering respective knee injuries.

It’s a sledgehammer blow for two big Southern league clubs.

St Kilda City and Springvale Districts will be without their two most important players for the remainder of the season.

Fierce Saints ruckman Shem Tatupu will be out for the foreseeable future with a suspected torn ACL while Dees spearhead Matt Wetering will too miss the rest of 2023 with a knee injury.

Tatupu did his knee during the second quarter of the Saints’ Round 13 clash with St Paul’s McKinnon, almost simultaneously as Wetering did his against Dingley in the same quarter of the same round.

Wetering’s is less severe, not requiring surgery, but in the context of Springvale Districts’ season it’s a ferocious setback.

Saints coach Vinnie Turcinovich was “shattered” for Tatupu after he showed his loyalty to the club during an earlier season exodus.

“He was a marvel to stay on and guide the young guys that are struggling,” he said.

“It’s really unfortunate because if you take Shem and Chewy out, you are probably relying on blokes with 70 senior games between them under their belt.

“When Shem plays with us, they (his teammates) just grow a leg, they really do.

“I am shattered for him.”

Shem Tatupu (left) and Matt Wetering will be out for the rest of the year.

Springvale Districts’ coach Kris Thompson, who has dealt with regular injury blows this season, says he would need “a miracle” to see Wetering again this year.

“It doesn’t change anything structurally but it changes roles people have to play,” he said.

“John Walker went back this week and Poppa (Stefan) Feehan went forward and he kicked three and was one of our better forwards.

“It’s been a challenge for us all year, our ruckman has been injured so Toby Arms has had to play ruck, and had another blinder on the weekend, (Dylan) Quirk has missed the last month and is going to miss another three.

“Peter Heng, a best and fairest winner, is out for the year, Matt Thompson, also a best and fairest winner, is done for the year as well, (with a) fractured shoulder – the list goes on.

“He’s (Wetering) eight weeks, so he’s done, it’s not surgery.

“He doesn’t need surgery but he is a pretty keen cricketer, so he will start his rehab now, he will be done unless there is a miracle.”