AFLW 2022: Scans confirm serious injuries for Hawks Tamara Luke and Louise Stephenson, plus St Kilda’s Jayde Van Dyk
The injury carnage continues in the AFLW, with two experienced Hawthorn players and a St Kilda defender to miss an extended period recovering from weekend setbacks.
Serious knee injuries continue to plague the AFLW competition, with a second player confirmed to have sustained an ACL setback from Sunday’s St Kilda-Hawthorn clash.
Saints defender Jayde Van Dyk’s confirmed injury follows that of Hawks ruck Tamara Luke, who immediately clutched her right knee after the opening bounce of the match.
Fellow Hawthorn footballer Louise Stephenson is also out for a yet-to-be-determined period and will undergo surgery to repair her fractured left ankle, which was caught in a tackle shortly after Luke’s incident.
Van Dyk is the second Saint to suffer an ACL injury in recent times after Renee Saulitis’ pre-season setback.
The 168cm defender went down early in the second term, twisting awkwardly on her left knee after having her attempted kick smothered.
Saulitis has begun her rehabilitation after her surgery went well.
Van Dyk, Luke and Stephenson are just the latest three players to go down with a major injury, in what has been a torrid first two rounds of the new AFLW season.
Stephenson actually returned to the game in the second term but the Hawks pulled her from the contest before half-time.
“We’re gutted to lose Jayde for the year, but she will have the entire club’s support throughout this time,” St Kilda’s head of AFLW Tessie McManus said.
“Although we will miss Jayde’s impact in defence; she will be just as valuable to our group from the sidelines as our backline continues to grow and develop.
“Jayde will tackle her rehab with the same intensity she brings on-field, and we look forward to when she’ll be able to line-up in club colours again.”
Fellow Saint Tyanna Smith (knee) is still about a month from returning but ex-Eagle Grace Kelly (quad) is closing in on her St Kilda debut.
Luke’s injury means teenager Lucy Wales is set to take on significant responsibility, with former Demon Tegan Cunningham potentially serving as a makeshift option in support.
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Hawks general manager of operations and AFLW, Josh Vanderloo, said it was unfortunate news for the experienced pair, who are both in the club’s leadership group.
“Unfortunately, scans have confirmed the worst for two of our spirited leaders in Lou and Tam,” Vanderloo said.
“The club will do all it can to support them through their rehabilitation.”
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