Melbourne’s rising star Eliza McNamara ruled out of AFLW season due to spine fracture

Eliza McNamara has been dominated out of the upcoming AFLW season after the star midfielder suffered a fractured backbone throughout a health club session. 

McNamara misplaced her footing throughout a weighted train with scans confirming influence to her lumbar backbone. 

In accordance with AFLW basic supervisor Marcus Wagner, the 20-year previous has since undergone surgical procedure and will likely be sidelined till subsequent season. 

“Eliza was finishing a programmed train within the health club final week as a part of her coaching prep, when she misplaced her footing whereas lifting a weighted barbell,” Wagner mentioned. 

“She sadly sustained an harm to her L1 vertebra within the course of and was transferred to hospital instantly.

“Fortunately, Eliza’s neurology is totally intact. She underwent surgical procedure on Saturday to stabilise the realm, which all went to plan, and he or she is anticipated to make a full restoration, albeit a prolonged journey.”

McNamara was one in every of Melbourne’s finest gamers on this 12 months’s AFLW season, serving to to steer the Demons to their first grand ultimate the place they fell quick towards Adelaide Crows. 

It continued a meteoric rise for McNamara, who earned a Rising Star nominee simply seven matches into her debut season.

“It is extremely unlucky for Eliza and our staff,” Wagner mentioned.

“She has had an ideal couple of months and was getting ready to take her sport to a different stage this season.

“Regardless of the scenario, Eliza is in good spirits, which is a mirrored image of her resilient nature and optimistic outlook on life.

“These subsequent few months will likely be a problem, however our total taking part in group, coaches and workers will throw their arms round Eliza and help her and her household each step of the way in which.”

Melbourne will open the brand new season with a grand ultimate rematch towards Adelaide on August 26.