St Albans midfielder Brock McDonald eyes coaching development after tearing ACL

After learning he had a season-ending injury, a young St Albans gun was quick to find a different way to impact the game for the Supersaints.

GFL team St Albans Football Club at Training Brock McDonald. Picture: Mark Wilson

ST Albans midfielder Brock McDonald says he is determined to return to the football field in 2024 after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the pre-season.

McDonald tore his ACL during a tackling drill at a Supersaints pre-season session, and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

The rising star of the GFL said he heard several “pops” as his leg got caught underneath the weight of his opponent’s body.

“My knee just twisted and in the moment I heard three or four pops and instantly I didn’t think it was too good,” he said.

“When it happened I fell to the ground and I wasn’t in real pain, it was more discomfort, it was a numbing pain and my left leg just got stuck in a fully bent action.

Brock McDonald will miss all of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Once the numbing had gone and I could put weight on my leg I thought it’d be fine to go back onto it, but as soon as I got up to a certain pace I knew it was no good.”

It is McDonald’s first significant injury of his young career, having played every game in 2022 during St Albans’ winless season.

The 19 year old said he was determined to return to football after his rehabilitation, and said his best football was ahead of him.

“There hasn’t been any thoughts of not playing or taking extra time off,” he said.

“It’s a big learning curve on how it all changes with having a major injury because I’ve never experienced it before.

McDonald did not miss a game in 2022, and has now notched up 27 senior games for the club. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I’m extremely determined to do all the recovery and get back as fast as possible, I’ve just focused on 2024 and using this time period to really educate myself from a different point of view.

“I’ve spoken to ‘Torts’ (Alex Tortora, St Albans coach) about helping out with the midfield group as a bit of an assistant, shadowing our coaches and giving my perspective on how things should look.

“We’re obviously a really young side that has plenty of talent, especially in that midfield group, so I want to be able to develop off the field with how I think about the game.

“In 2024 I’m sure I’ll come back with a real determination of playing well.”

Originally published as St Albans midfielder Brock McDonald eyes coaching development after tearing ACL