AFL aim to reduce ACL tears in women

THE AFL is hanging its hopes on a new ACL injury prevention program as a spate of knee injuries continues to cripple the women’s competition.

The Western Bulldogs yesterday confirmed AFLW young gun Isabel Huntington would require season-ending surgery on her right knee, scans showing she suffered a ruptured ACL for the second time in three years during Sunday’s win over Brisbane.

Huntington (above) is the fifth AFLW player since August to have her season wiped out by an ACL injury. Four were suffered in matches and one during pre-season training.

The AFL’s most recently published annual injury survey shows 14 ACL injuries were recorded from 814 male players in 2016 — or one in 58 players.

The first AFLW season last year had more than double the rate of ACL injuries for men — in a season less than one-third of the AFL.

Eight ACL injuries were suffered among 220 AFLW players, equating to one in 27.

Medical experts put the discrepancy down largely to the different shape of the female body, with studies from other sports showing ACL injury rates between two and 10 times higher among female athletes.

The AFL yesterday acknowledged the problem and said that last November it had signed on for a new prevention program to tackle the issue through knee strengthening exercises, including weights programs and altering running patterns.