A sickening leg injury suffered by Britney Gutknecht has overshadowed the Western Bulldogs’ party-crashing 18-point AFLW win over Port Adelaide at sold-out Alberton Oval.
With 1: 36 remaining in the first half on Saturday, the lower part of Gutknecht’s right leg snapped when Port’s Abbey Dowrick’s flying attempt to smother her opponent’s kick went horribly wrong.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mum rushes to injured daughter’s side, consoled by Bulldogs players
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Play was halted for 31 minutes while Gutknecht, in obvious agony, was attended to by trainers, medicos and paramedics before eventually being taken to hospital via ambulance.
Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke, captain Ellie Blackburn and other teammates consoled Gutknecht’s mum.
Britney Gutknecht is surrounded by teammates and her mother (middle, black jacket). Credit: Matt Turner/AAP“Her mum made the trip over,” Burke said after the game.
“There’s nothing worse than for that to happen and your mum’s back in Melbourne.
“She’ll be supporting her and we’ll support her as much as we can.”
Gutknecht had been playing well before the injury, which meant the second term lasted almost 50 minutes from siren to siren.
Britney Gutknecht was able to wave before being taken to hospital with a broken leg. Credit: AAPThe Bulldogs went on to win 3.10 (28) to 1.3 (9).
“You love to win but it’s that knot in your gut for Britney,” Burke said.
“She’s worked so hard to get herself into this team, playing in a position that’s not quite hers.
“The girls were a bit flat in that third quarter. That’s just natural that they were going to feel that way.”
After the pain relief from the “green whistle” penthrox kicked in, Gutknecht’s spirits lifted enough for her to voice some encouragement.
“Britney’s last words were to tell them to win – and they did,” Burke said.
According to Power assistant Hamish Hartlett, Dowrick was “very remorseful and apologetic immediately after the incident”.
Port coach Lauren Arnell offered her best wishes for Gutknecht and her support for Dowrick.
“I actually coached (Gutknecht) in the talent pathway when she was a top-age under-18 player,” Arnell said.
“Hope she’s OK. It didn’t look great. For Abbs, that’s a contest she creates and has created her whole life.
“I had a chat to her over the phone when it happened. From where I’m sitting, it’s a footy contest.”
The Dogs were comfortably the better side in the first half, owning distinct advantages in disposals (106-78) and inside-50s (17-6), but their 1.7 conversion kept the Power in the hunt.
Blackburn, after a quiet start, had a major influence with her playmaking, while Kirsty Lamb and Isabelle Pritchard were busy.
Amid the flurry of Dogs misses, Richelle Cranston converted a free kick early in the second stanza, which was matched at the other end when Gemma Houghton, who nailed the Power’s historic maiden AFLW goal last week against West Coast, snapped Port’s first major at Alberton.
It was their only moment of joy for the day.
Power skipper Erin Phillips got going in the third period, almost having the parochial crowd on their feet when her left-foot snap looked on target, only to slam the ball into the woodwork.
Opposite number Blackburn’s nifty hands then set up Celine Moody’s major as the Bulldogs pushed ahead by 10 points at three-quarter-time.
Gabby Newton’s contested marking in attack was a feature of the fourth quarter, dominated completely by the visitors.
The Power gave away numerous free kicks towards the end and failed to enter their attacking 50 for the entire term as the Dogs continued to press home their advantage, only their inaccuracy in front of the sticks preventing a percentage pile-on.
Tensions flare between Franklin and May.
Tensions flare between Franklin and May.
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