Thursday, 19 May 2011

Dicky knee ends Graham's South Freo playing year

by Joel Agland 6 May, 2011

A severe knee injury sustained by South Fremantle Football Club captain Jaymie Graham, has ended his 2011 season and has the potential to end his career.

Graham was involved in a front on collision with Subiaco player Danny Hughes, which resulted in Graham’s kneecap dislocating from the weight of the impact, causing his ensuing ligaments around his knee to be damaged.

He was stretchered from the ground, before being taken to Fremantle Hospital for treatment by ambulance.

Graham has played 105 games for South Fremantle and enjoyed a three year period in the AFL for the West Coast Eagles, from 2005-2008, playing 37 games and kicking 13 goals.

Graham relinquished his AFL career by quitting the Eagles in 2009 to dedicate more time to looking after his younger sister Candy, who at the time was in foster care.

“The severity of Jaymie’s knee injury is going to have a major impact on every aspect of his life from work, uni, footy and of course his family life," said close friend and South Fremantle teammate Mathew Leece.

Graham was released from Fremantle hospital on Tuesday and will undergo a full knee reconstruction on Friday.

“We’ve been told Jaymie will be out for a minimum of 18 months and won’t be able to begin his recovery for a couple of weeks until the swelling goes down, but he wants to return footy again and also wants to lead the club next year,” said Leece.

Graham will stay involved with the South Fremantle Football Club by helping out in a coaching role after he begins his recovery.

Hi knee injury was broadcast on Channel One on the program The Fifth Quarter, with host Andrew Maher describing the injury as the worst he has seen on a football field.

“When it happened I didn’t think too much of it, but when I saw the replays after the game, I was horrified and devastated for him” said Subiaco midfielder Jason Bristow.

“I spoke to Danny about it after and he didn’t realise how bad it was until after as well, it’s just one of those things you hate to see in football,” said Bristow

The South Fremantle Football Club is keeping friends, teammates and fans updated with the latest news on Jaymie Graham’s injury on their website.

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