‘Huge concern’ over number of ACL injuries in AFLW

Three AFLW stars appear to have had their 2022 seasons ended in round one, due to ACL injuries which will rule them out of play for the remainder of the season.

Bulldog Isabel Huntington and last year’s co-best and fairest winner Bri Davey both ruptured their ACLs during play at the weekend.

Kate Lutkins – who was best on ground for the Lions in their breakthrough premiership last year – is also believed to have injured her ACL but is still awaiting scans.

Sports medicine physician Dr Peter Brukner says the high incidence of ACL injuries in AFLW is “a huge concern”.

“The pattern of injuries have sort of changed a bit over time, there used to be a lot of injuries from landing from a mark, landing awkwardly, but there’s been a lot of work done on that … so we’re not seeing as much of that,” he told Stephen Quartermain and Emily Power, filling in for Ross and Russel.

“What we are seeing is really high intensity running, decelerating, stopping, pivoting, those sorts of things.”

Dr Brukner says it’s believed the anatomy of women makes them more susceptible to ACL injuries.

“There’s a thought that … the fact they have wider hips and an increased angle from the thigh bone to the shin bone … that causes the knee to sort of fall in a bit more,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Brukner’s thoughts on why ACL injuries are more common in women