Revealed: The gruesome injury that Collingwood hero Jeremy Howe defied to help Pies win the AFL grand final
Just six months after suffering a traumatic arm injury, Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe has won his thrilling AFL grand final with three broken ribs.
A big bump from Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron sent Howe onto the MCG turf early in the final quarter of the Magpies’ epic four-point win, which secured their 16th premiership.
Howe had to leave the ground after the collision, but returned in obvious discomfort to complete the match.
“Three broken ribs will do that, I think,” he told AAP.
‘They click really hard. It’s not ideal.’
Jeremy Howe played on with three broken ribs in Collingwood’s grand final win
The brave defender suffered the injury during the dramatic clash at the MCG
Howe admitted he felt like “a house” as he drank a beer in the raucous Collingwood rooms.
But the pain was nothing like an awkward landing during a marker match against Geelong in the opening round of the season.
The 33-year-old was stretchered off the pitch after breaking his arm in a freak accident that was deemed too gruesome to be replayed on broadcast.
Less than two weeks after the operation, an infection delayed his recovery, leaving Howe uncertain about his future.
“I’m probably just thinking about hanging up (the boots), to be honest. The first six weeks were really bad with my arm,” he said.
‘Actually thinking about everything, it’s amazing the thoughts that go through your head, especially negative ones.’
Winning a grand final was certainly not one of the things on Howe’s mind.
But with the support of his wife Kahlia, he recovered and made his return in Round 15 against Adelaide and played every game from then on en route to winning the premiership cup.
The key defender was crucial to the Collingwood defence, with 24 disposals, seven interception possessions and four goal involvements for a team-high profit of 591 million.
Howe suffered a horrific broken arm earlier this year but finished his season with the flag
“It’s in the history books now,” he said.
‘To come back at all would be a huge bonus, but this? This is difficult to explain. I’m not sure if it’s real yet.
“I’m so grateful to be able to share it with my family because they are the ones who helped me get through it.
“Especially my wife, she sees me at my worst and that (arm injury) was definitely my worst.
“She got me through it, got me back, gave me a kick in the ass when I needed it and the rest is history.”