Melbourne Mavericks lose Eleanor Cardwell to injury on eve of the Super Netball season
Melbourne Mavericks’ star goaler and England international Eleanor Cardwell will require more surgery on her troublesome knee. REBECCA WILLIAMS reports.
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Melbourne Mavericks have suffered a fresh injury blow on the eve of the Super Netball season with star goaler Eleanor Cardwell set to miss up to three months after undergoing more surgery on her knee.
The English international had already been on the comeback trail from surgery on the same knee last October and had initially been targeting an early-season return.
But Cardwell’s knee had not responded to the initial surgery as well as had been hoped, leading to the decision to go under the knife again.
The Mavericks said the latest surgery was expected to keep 30-year-old Cardwell out of action for between eight to 12 weeks.
“It’s a little disappointing in terms of the fact that I’ll now miss the first part of the SSN season,” Cardwell said.
“However, for the longevity of my career and my long-term contribution to the Mavs, I know that this is the best way forward.
“Everyone’s really positive with how the surgery went last week, so I’ll continue to do all I can to contribute to the team in an off-court role in the meantime.”
Cardwell underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear last October after aggravating a knee injury at the start of the September Test series between England and Australia.
The foundation Mavericks goaler featured only in the first Test against Australia – lasting just one quarter – before she was ruled out of the rest of the three-Test series.
Cardwell injured her knee during her preparations for the international series and conceded in an interview with Code Sports earlier this month that she had erred in pushing herself to play for the Roses.
“It was worse than I thought it was,” Cardwell said at the time.
“I was trying to play in that Australia series and it turns out I really needed the surgery.
“It probably wasn’t ideal for me … I shouldn’t have played, but that was me just pushing myself and I just wanted to play for England.”
The Mavericks have training partners Uneeq Palavi and Nyah Allen ready to step up into the squad as a replacement for Cardwell.
Cardwell’s setback comes after injuries cruelled the start of the new Melbourne Super Netball franchise’s debut campaign.
The Mavs suffered twin injury blows last pre-season when goaler Sasha Glasgow broke her leg in a practice match and defender Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore) injured her ACL in the Team Girls Cup.
The Mavericks face the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the opening round of the Super Netball season at John Cain Arena on April 5.
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Originally published as Melbourne Mavericks lose Eleanor Cardwell to injury on eve of the Super Netball season
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