Weekly Times | THE clash that left Lavington’s Kade Stevens with fractured vertebrae will go under the microscope at the Ovens and Murray league tribunal tonight.
Stevens sustained the serious injury in the first term on Saturday in a collision with Wodonga Raiders’ Matt McDonald.
The injury cut short the 34-year-old’s comeback from a broken wrist that had sidelined him since last season’s semi-final against Wangaratta Rovers, barring one reserves game last month.
Lavington president Peter Barwick said he would be “devastated” if Stevens’ latest injury was to spell the end of his playing career. Stevens has played his entire career with the Panthers and was a part of the 2005 premiership side. “It doesn’t look good,” Barwick said. “It’s up to him if he wants to go on.
“He’s got a young family now — and there’s more to life than footy.”
Field umpires did not make a report but McDonald was cited by the match review panel. He was charged with “intentionally, recklessly or negligently” making front-on contact with Stevens when Stevens had his head over the ball. “I don’t know whether there was any malice, but I’m not happy with the incident,” Barwick said.
Wodonga Raiders representatives could not be reached by The Weekly Times. The Raiders won the Round 15 match by 25 points.
The Ovens and Murray was forced to confront the issue of spinal injuries last year when Albury’s James McQuillan became a quadriplegic after an innocuous head knock in a match against Yarrawonga.
The Horsham and District league launched an investigation after a clash that left a Pimpinio player with fractured vertebrae. Another player was later rubbed out for six weeks but three were suspended until the end of next season.
