GRAPHIC WARNING: Shocking image proves St Kilda star Jack Steele displayed incredible courage to play with a completely shattered clavicle.
- He played the last quarter with the injury
- You will miss up to four weeks of footy
- Joins St Kilda’s alarming injury list
The injury curse continues at St Kilda with scans revealing inspirational captain Jack Steele played the final quarter of their AFL second round win over the Bulldogs with a broken collarbone.
The former All-Australian missed a month of football in 2022 with a shoulder injury and took a bad hit to the same joint in the club’s 51-point win over the Dogs.
In an incredible act of bravery, the captain took to the field in the fourth quarter to ensure his team earned a second straight win to kick off the 2023 season despite pain and restricted movement.
He will undergo surgery and miss up to a month of football, cruelly depriving him of playing in the Saints’ 150th anniversary game against Essendon this weekend.
“Jack is as brave as they come and playing the game with a broken clavicle was a fantastic effort,” St Kilda head of football David Misson said.
Shocking scan results show just how badly Steele’s clavicle was broken in game against Bulldogs
Steele leads his teammates off the pitch at Marvel Stadium after valiantly playing on to help the club record their second AFL win of the season.
While doctors say Steele will miss four rounds, trainer Ross Lyon hopes his inspirational patron returns before then.
‘A plate will be inserted…we wait three or four weeks. The doctors say four, but he’s the man of steel, so I’m giving a three tip,” Lyon said.
The bravery displayed by Steele did not go unnoticed by Saints fans.
absolute courage. I would have known he was broken and still would have stuck it out,” one fan posted.
‘It’s hard to play the game with a broken clavicle. Such an inspiration to the team as a leader. Speedy recovery’, published another.
Steele has now joined the Saints’ disabled list, which is the longest in the AFL with a total of 14 stars missing.
The roster includes the likes of superstar forwards Max King and Tim Membrey, and the cavalry won’t be coming anytime soon, with only Jack Bytel qualifying a trade to return before the ninth round.
In a boost for the club, Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager returned in limited minutes on Saturday, but fans are still bemoaning the high injury toll.
“This season is cursed,” one fan posted.
Key forward Max King is still six to nine weeks away from playing for the Saints after injuring his shoulder.
Tim Membery has suffered a setback with his knee injury and is still another four to six weeks away from returning to the Saints.
‘All the best Jack I hope you recover well, sorry very bad luck, you are a great leader and captain, absolute champion. Why are we so cursed by wounds? added another.
The Saints defied the obscene injured list to start the season 2-0 with shock wins over Fremantle and the Bulldogs, with fans saying Steele’s absence would only mean more opportunities for the club’s younger players.
‘I knew it was no good when I was shaking hands with my left after the game. It will be a great opportunity for Windy and Bytel to step in,” one posted.
“Speedy recovery Jack so bad luck the rest of the team will do you proud,” added another.
‘Incredible. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Good opportunity for our younger guys to step up,” said another.