Super Netball Round 1: NSW Swifts’ Sam Wallace in tears after ‘heartbreaking’ knee injury

There were heartbreaking scenes in Round 1 of the Super Netball when star NSW Swifts shooter Sam Wallace suffered a devastating injury.

Sam Wallace was inconsolable after she suffered a season-ending knee injury.

NSW Swifts shooter Sam Wallace will miss the rest of the Super Netball season after it was confirmed she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Swifts’ Round 1 loss to the GWS Giants on Saturday night.

Wallace took a tumble and fell to the court in the final 10 minutes of the game with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

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Wallace and her teammates were in tears as she was taken off the court and sent to hospital where scans confirmed the ACL injury.

The news was heartbreaking for the star shooter, who had worked hard in the off-season to recover from an injury to her other knee.

“This is obviously a devastating blow for Sam and the team and we are all absolutely shattered,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said.

“Sam’s worked so hard throughout pre-season to overcome an injury to her other knee. To have her season over is simply heartbreaking.

“If there’s one positive thing Sam has on her side though, it’s that this team is her family. There is no closer group in the competition, and we will help get her through this.

No one likes to see a player go down with a nasty injury. Photo: Narelle Spangher, Netball NSW

The injury is a huge blow to the Swifts this Super Netball season. Photo: Narelle Spangher, Netball NSW

“She is extremely tough too. It won’t be easy, but we’re sure Sammy will be back and continue to be one of the best shooters in the world.”

Kelly Singleton came on to replace Wallace and the Swifts will assess its options before acquiring a replacement player for the rest of the season.

The injury to Wallace halted the Swifts’ comeback, as the Giants won the grand final rematch 57-55.

Young gun Sophie Dwyer was superb at Goal Attack for the Giants and took full advantage of being left alone under the post several times, finishing with 28 goals for the game.

The long-term knee injury will sideline Wallace for the entire Super Netball season and will also have ramifications for the Commonwealth Games later this year.

Wallace is Trinidad and Tobago’s star shooter and would have carried the hopes of her nation in Birmingham in July.

Round 1 Super Netball results

Adelaide Thunderbirds defeated Collingwood Magpies 54-50

GWS Giants defeated NSW Swifts 57-55

Melbourne Vixens defeated Queensland Firebirds 70-65

West Coast Fever defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning 82-62