Kate Sheahan suffers heartbreaking knee injury in first AFLW game

COLLINGWOOD forward Kate Sheahan faces a nervous wait ahead of scans on Monday to determine the extent of her knee injury after a heartbreaking AFLW debut.

Kate Sheahan lays on the ground after injuring her knee. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD forward Kate Sheahan fought back tears after her AFLW debut ended in heartbreak with a serious knee injury.

Sheahan collapsed in pain after her left knee buckled before halftime at Whitten Oval against the Western Bulldogs.

She had just come off the bench and gathered her first possession on the wing when she went to sidestep Bulldogs opponent Angelica Gogos.

At 35, Sheahan’s AFLW dream could be over as soon as it began should scans this week confirm a ruptured ACL.

Kate Sheahan falls to the ground after hurting her knee. Picture: Michael Klein

Vice-captain Alicia Eva says the Magpies’ first AFLW win was in part for injured debutant Kate Sheahan.

“We wanted to make sure we put 100 per cent effort out there for Kate, big game for her first game,” Eva said.

“The passion she showed at the start of the game, she just wants to be playing footy. She just wants to be in this group. It was hard for us, but we wanted to keep our heads high and get the win pretty much for her and for everyone else and for us.”

Sheahan, the daughter of former Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan — who was watching on from the stands — was carried from the field in distress before she was assessed by medical staff behind closed doors.

But she was in better spirits as she emerged after the break on crutches and with her knee heavily strapped.

This was our dream Dad and we did it. It's didn't finish perfectly, but I made you proud and that's all that matters ❤ pic.twitter.com/7sPGLf3bns

— Kate Sheahan (@KateSheahan1) February 25, 2017

Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman was unable to shed more light on the injury after the match when interviewed by Channel 7.

Sheahan, who was a late inclusion for the Magpies after missing the first three rounds with a finger injury, celebrated the Pies’ nine-point win with her teammates on the ground and again in the rooms.

Injured Magpie Kate Sheahan sings the Collingwood theme song with teammates and tennis star and friend Daria Gavrilova. Picture: Michael Klein

Twitter was flooded with messages of support after the shocking incident.

Kate Sheahan is a great girl #heart breaking to hear she has done her knee.

— Wayne Ludbey (@WLudbey) February 25, 2017

If you're weighing up whether to view that footage of Kate Sheahan doing her knee, don't. Just gut-wrenching. #aflwDogsPies

— Ryan (@rm_rm_rm_rm_rm) February 25, 2017

Heartbreaking to watch @KateSheahan1 carried from the ground. All kinds of pain. #whittenoval #aflwdogspies #aflw #wearehere

— Kylie Lee-Archer (@KylieLeeArcher) February 25, 2017

Oh Kate Sheahan, that is absolutely heartbreaking. What devastating footage 💔#aflwDogsPies

— Ally Van Schilt (@allyvanschilt) February 25, 2017

@chyloe14 @KateSheahan1 @MUWFC That footage is gut-wrenching, all positive thoughts to Kate right now.

— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) February 25, 2017

Wishing you all the best and s speedy recovery @KateSheahan1!! 💜 #aflwDogsPies

— Polly Maeve 🏉♀ (@PollyMaeve) February 25, 2017

@CollingwoodFC @KateSheahan1 heartbreaking Kate, all the best

— Dale Parker (@Dale74Parker) February 25, 2017

Eva had a brilliant game with her outside run a key. But it was her shutdown role on prolific Bulldogs’ ball winner Emma Kearney in the second half that was the difference.

“Kearney is a good mate of mine and we spoke about it during the week that I might go on her,” Eva said.

“I started the game up on the wing and she was getting a bit of it in the first half.

“I have a heap of respect for her. She’s leading possessions and everything in this league and her metres gained is huge as well. It was a good challenge for me and something I haven’t done before.”

The Pies and the Bulldogs are now virtually out of the title race.

Collingwood is sixth on the ladder, two wins off second and three wins off top the same as the Western Bulldogs, who are fifth, ahead only on percentage.