Netball News: Georgia Heffernan ruled out for season

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel shooter Georgia Heffernan will be sidelined for the rest of the year following a serious knee injury.

Scans have confirmed a ruptured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament) and meniscus damage to her right knee after she landed awkwardly during her side’s Round 3 match against the Northern Stars.

Steel head coach Reinga Bloxham said her side would give their full support to helping the 20-year-old on her road to recovery.

“I’m absolutely gutted for her. She had been playing really well and was improving with every outing that she had so we are all really feeling for her at the moment,” Bloxham said.

“I think the most disappointing thing for her is knowing that she had worked really hard in the pre-season to be able to contest for the GA bib and really give it a good crack.

“Georgia can take some real positives out of the impact that she made this season.”

Heffernan said it was upsetting to have to watch the rest of season from the sideline but was motivated to come back stronger than ever.

“It’s a disappointing way to finish the season, I didn’t think I had injured my knee as badly as I have but I have to accept that as I can’t change it now,” she said.

“I’m going to really struggle with only being able to watch – in our Round 4 game on Saturday I was just wishing I was there and I want to stay involved as much as I can with the Steel team.

“It’s just a wait now before surgery and then I’ll get into the rehab side of things and get back as soon as possible.”

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will continue to explore their options before confirming a replacement player for the remainder of the season.