When Western Bulldogs premiership player Liam Picken went to ground during Saturday’s game with Fremantle in Western Australia, many-a-fan could be seen grimacing throughout the stadium.
Body-on-body clashes are nothing new, but repetition doesn’t take the sting out of watching someone get knocked out live in action.
No-one was more concerned, however, than Picken’s own family watching the match on TV at home in Melbourne.
This was the clash they had to endure some 3,000 kilometres away.
“Just a reminder to never take joy in the hurt/injury of opposition players (or anyone for that matter.) Not sure if Liam will run back out tonight but it was upsetting to witness what we just did. Thanks for the kind messages. Liam is in good hands and looking okay now but gosh I hate being on the other side of the country,” she added.
Before long, Picken was up, walking and avoided seriously injury, but didn’t make his way back onto the ground during the match after failing a concussion test.
Nolan followed up her post on Instagram with another, thanking her followers for their support and joking that she “hope[s] he remembers he’s married to [her]”.
It’s the side to sport we rarely see, but it’s the side of sport we ought to remember.
Top Comments
Really? A little over the top in my opinion.
People all over Australia are injured playing AFL every weekend. The only difference being this professional AFL player will have access to the best medical, physio and/or other treatments to assist him recover while being paid a handsome sum of money to practice his craft.
He won't lose income for taking time away from work like many an amateur footy player who suffered a similar injury this weekend.
There were likely dozens of kids sobbing on the sidelines seeing their daddies get hurt playing footy too - their mummies just doesn't happen to be WAGs with a blog or Instagram following.... sorry if that makes me seem harsh, but don't expect me to weep for AFL players or their families who live off their very generous salaries!