Darwin Buffettes star Emma Collinson slowly recovering after horrific season-ending ankle injury

STAR Darwin Buffettes player Emma Collinson is making steady progress six-and-a-half weeks on from her horrific season-ending injury on November 9

Star Buffettes player Emma Collinson pictured in hospital after her horrific season-ending injury against St Mary’s on November 9. Picture: SUPPLIED

STAR Darwin Buffettes player Emma Collinson is making steady progress six-and-a-half weeks on from her horrific season-ending injury on November 9.

The 31-year-old broke and dislocated her ankle, and also broke her fibula in the game against St Mary’s, which was also her 150th game playing for the Buffettes.

Collinson was tackled in the first half after clearing the ball with a kick, a regular in-game occurrence, but the Buffettes’ boots got stuck in the ground and the added pressure led to a break.

“My cleats (boots) were dug into the ground as the other girl hit me from the side,” Collinson told the NT News.

“It’s been particularly stressful because I have two young children that I want to take care of.

“I have a lot of support from my parents.

“I’m not thinking about returning to playing right now, I’m just focused on my recovery for my family. (On Tuesday) I was told that I can start putting 50 per cent weight on my leg.”

Collinson is likely to face over 12 months of rehabilitation.

The sound of her leg breaking could be heard by those nearby and it was immediately apparent that something significant had happened.

Collinson’s partner Timmy Duggan was volunteering as a water boy on the day and was only about five metres away at the time of the incident.

“The ironic thing was I went along because it was her 150th game and then got asked to volunteer,” Duggan said.

“I was only five metres away and heard the click click, everyone in that area could. It was pretty traumatic and sad because it was supposed to be a special occasion for her.

“She was just finding her feet after coming back from having a child and this happened. She’s keeping positive but the hardest part is the mental strain.”