Ex-Essendon player Jason Winderlich suffers serious neck injury playing for Thorpdale

Essendon has given an update on former speedster Jason Winderlich after fears of a serious neck injury playing local footy, calling him a ‘valued member of the Essendon family’.

Jason Winderlich playing for Essendon.

Essendon has confirmed former Bomber Jason Winderlich is recovering from recent surgery after a severe neck injury he sustained during a country football match at the weekend.

Thorpdale’s clash in the Mid-Gippsland Football Netball League was abandoned in the second quarter when Winderlich sustained a serious head knock.

An ambulance was called to the local footy ground but Winderlich was instead flown to the Alfred Hospital, where the 39 year old had plates inserted in his neck.

Essendon president David Barham said the club extended its well wishes and thoughts to Jason and his family as he continues to recover from the freak accident.

“The club has been in regular contact with the Winderlichs to support and assist Jason in any way possible,” he said.

“Jason has always been a valued member of the Essendon family, and we are committed to providing him with all the support he needs during this challenging time.

“Our thoughts remain with him and his family as they navigate this difficult period.”

Winderlich played 129 games for Essendon between 2003-15, kicking 83 goals.

Thorpdale posted on its social media the club sent “our heartfelt wishes to Jason and his loved ones. May his recovery be swift and complete, and may his strength and resilience continue to inspire us all.”

FEARS FOR WINDERLICH AFTER NECK INJURY

Fears are held for former Essendon star Jason Winderlich after he was flown to The Alfred hospital on Saturday with a serious neck injury suffered in a country football clash.

Winderlich, 39, was playing for Thorpdale in the Mid-Gippsland league against Toora when he took a knock to the head after collecting the ball.

The incident happened in the second quarter at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

Play was immediately stopped and an ambulance was called.

Toora coach Jack Weston said the decision was made to call in a helicopter and take a distressed Winderlich, with what was initially a suspected spinal injury, to the Alfred.

The match was eventually called off.

Jason Winderlich at Thorpdale. Picture: Paul Amy

An emotional Weston, a former Geelong AFL rookie, said: “One of our players was running in to tackle Jason after he picked up the ball … and from what I understand the contact ended up being to the top of his head and to the chest of the player making the tackle.

“I didn’t see it all that clearly but I understand Jason had taken a ground ball and went to come up and it was head to chest. From there he went down.’’

Winderlich celebrates a goal for the Bombers.

Weston said club trainers attended to Winderlich before an ambulance arrived about 30 minutes after the incident.

“They (ambulance staff) made the call pretty early on that they would need the helicopter,’’ he said.

“It took off about 4.30pm to take him to the Alfred.’’

Winderlich played junior football at Thorpdale and went on to be drafted from the Gippsland Power.

Injuries gave him no peace at Essendon but he played 129 AFL games.

He returned to Thorpdale last year as senior coach.

He told CODE Sports he always intended to finish with “Thorpy’’.

“I’ll stay and help the club now,’’ he says.

Weston said Toora’s thoughts were with Winderlich, his family and the Thorpdale community. “We have absolutely everything crossed that there’s a positive outcome for him,’’ he said.

Originally published as Ex-Essendon player Jason Winderlich suffers serious neck injury playing for Thorpdale