‘Disappointed’: Pies confirm surgery for star after horror injury as gruesome details emerge
Collingwood has confirmed vice-captain Jeremy Howe has undergone surgery for his broken forearm, with the star defender stretchered off the MCG and taken to hospital after suffering one of the most horrific AFL injuries in recent memory.
Howe on Friday night collided with Geelong opponent Tyson Stengle while attempting to spoil the ball in the early stages of the third quarter of the Magpies’ 22-point win.
But as the 32-year-old attempted to brace for contact with the MCG turf, he landed awkwardly on his left arm.
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Play was stopped for around seven minutes as Collingwood trainers rushed onto the field to assess Howe, who was seen lying on the turf with his arm out in excruciating pain.
Given the graphic nature of Howe’s injury — a fractured forearm — broadcasters chose not to show the replay of the incident.
Howe was placed onto a stretcher before every Magpies teammate, as well as a few Geelong opponents, surrounded him to show their support for the injured veteran.
He was then seen being loaded into an ambulance surrounded by family outside the Collingwood rooms.
The club said it’ll provide an update on his return time frame when more information becomes available.
“We are disappointed for Jeremy who suffered a compound fracture in his forearm during the game last night,” Magpies football boss Graham Wright said.
“He underwent scans last night and had surgery earlier today.
“Jeremy is a respected leader of our program who really puts his body on the line – our priority is making sure his welfare is supported through his recovery and we will do that.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae had suggested Howe would undergo surgery on Saturday.
“He is in hospital unfortunately. He has a fracture. I’m not even going to try and explain what it is. He is going to have a scan and potentially an operation tomorrow,” McRae said after the match.
“He is such an important player. He is the vice-captain, we all love him, so when you see one of the real good guys go down, that‘s going to be a cost somewhere.
“I‘m not sure how long he is going to be out. But the players’ reaction to that, we are a connected group, it is pleasing to see that on the field.”
Magpies defender Brayden Maynard said it was devastating.
“For him to go down like that … I didn’t realise the extent of the injury but when I went over there I saw the bone out of the arm so it’s very disappointing,” Maynard told ABC.
“I’m actually pretty devastated because he finds himself sometimes getting injured and having long stints out of the game and he’s such a vital player for us, so hopefully he’s back bigger and stronger.”
The star defender had been one of Collingwood’s most durable players before suffering a nasty knee injury in 2020, which restricted him to just four games for the season. He then played just eight games in 2021 primarily due to a hamstring injury.
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore was emotional when speaking about Howe post-game.
“It’s heartbreaking. We go through so much together as AFL players, you ride the highs and the lows really closely,” Moore told Channel 7. “So to see one of your close teammates in a state like that, it’s pretty distressing and it’s pretty messed up that we then have to forget about it and get on with the job.
“I’m getting a bit emotional just talking about it. It’s a horrible part of our game, but we expect nothing less from Jeremy. He’s just an incredible teammate who puts his body on the line and that contest definitely.”
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Collingwood players “would’ve been gutted” after losing Howe.
“‘Howie’ is such an emotional connector for this group, so that’s a big thing to get over,” Buckley told Fox Footy.
Howe’s latest injury comes just three days after the Magpies confirmed he’d signed a one-yera contract extension that tied him to the club until at least the end of the 2024 season.
“We are pleased Jeremy has committed to this program for another year,” Pies football boss Graham Wright said.
“Jeremy has been an integral part of this Club on and off the field. He has exceptional football smarts, is a strong leader, and overall a really quality person.”