Double ACL blow floors Pies

COLLINGWOOD has confirmed it sustained not one but two ACL injuries over the last week.

Defender and cross-code star Ash Brazill ruptured her ACL on Friday night and also sustained injury to her medial crucial ligament and meniscus in the process.

But a 12th ACL injury since the start of the AFL Women’s pre-season was revealed after Georgia Gourlay injured her knee at training last Wednesday, marking a third ACL injury for the young Magpie.

Brazill’s injury is also a major blow for the Magpies’ Super Netball team after her standout season last year that culminated in a recall to the Diamonds’ line-up for the first time since 2016.

Runner-up in the Magpies’ best-and-fairest behind Geva Mentor, Brazill made a stunning late-season switch to centre from the position she has made in name in at wing attack.

The Magpies’ netball team already has two players on the comeback from ACL injuries after sisters Madi and Kelsey Browne both injured theirs last year.

It will force another off-season change to the list after veteran goal attack Nat Medhurst announced in January she would be having a maternity break this year to have her first baby in July. “The whole club is devastated for ‘Braz’ who will sit aside for not one but two campaigns this year,” Collingwood’s women’s sport boss, Jane Woodlands-Thompson said.

“With Braz being in the prime of her career, with Australian honours across both of her codes, the news is extremely disappointing.

“Another heartbreak for the club (with Georgia) It’s hard to comprehend this is the third occurrence for Georgia. This is a case of extreme bad luck.”

It is understood that Brazill will not face surgery immediately with the surrounding issues to be dealt with first.

In a third blow, Ruby Schleicher will miss the remainder of the AFLW season after injuring her shoulder in Friday night’s loss.