World Footy News

Collingwood’s Kendra Heil will miss the inaugural AFLW season with scans confirming a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

Heil was injured innocuously during a training session last Tuesday. It is her third ACL injury, having undergone a reconstruction to her left knee in early 2016 and another to her right knee in 2008.

Ontario-born Heil relocated to Australia in 2013 to pursue Australian rules football after being a standout performer with the Hamilton Wildcats in the Australian Football League of Ontario.

The 28-year-old was recruited to Collingwood as a free agent from the Eastern Devils in the VFL Women's state league.

Collingwood AFLW Operations Manager Meg Hutchins said that Heil will remain an important part of the team in its inaugural season.

“The injury news is disappointing for Kendra who was so excited to have the opportunity to play for Collingwood in the first national women’s AFL competition,” Hutchins said.

“The club will support Kendra throughout her recovery, and knowing her hard-working attitude towards her training, I’m sure she’ll be extremely diligent with her rehab.

“While we would have loved to see her on the ground, Kendra still has a lot to offer and will play an important part of Collingwood’s inaugural AFLW season off the ground.”

Heil will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and the club will now work with the AFL to secure a replacement player