Geelong Cats big man Esava Ratugolea cops nasty leg injury

Tom Naghten

Geelong Cats big man Esava Ratugolea cops nasty leg injury image

He had looked like one of the finds of the season, but Esava Ratugolea's 2018 may have ended on Saturday night against Carlton at GMHBA Stadium.

The Geelong big man was stretchered off with what looked to be a serious leg injury early in the second quarter.

Commentators speculated that he had a fracture after he was given 'the green whistle' for pain relief prior to being taken from the ground on a medicab.

Replays appeared to confirm their suspicions.

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The 19-year-old went up for a marking contest, coming down awkwardly, with his right foot twisting under him.

He immediately looked in a bad way as medicos began to treat him.

Check out the video below (Graphic content warning)

If the injury is as bad as it appeared, the season is likely over for the youngster.

Geelong footy manager Simon Lloyd revealed at half-time that it was a suspected tibia and fibula injury.


In just his eighth game at AFL level, Ratugolea had looked a very promising key position option for Chris Scott's side.

Taken with pick 43 in the 2016 draft, he made his debut in round one this season, impressing with a goal and a couple of contested marks per game.

The injury may open the door for dumped ruckman Zac Smith to come back into the side.

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.