St Kilda’s young talent, Matteas Phillipou, faced a heartbreaking setback on Saturday night as he was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated match against Collingwood. The 20-year-old injured his calf during the warm-up, leading to his removal from the lineup just minutes before the game commenced at Marvel Stadium.
Phillipou, visibly distraught, was seen speaking with the coaching staff on the bench. Commentator Jason Dunstall remarked on the situation, stating, “It’s unfortunate, you can see how distraught Phillipou is. He’s had a horror run with injuries and just wants to get in there … he’s going to be the latest of outs.”
The club confirmed the injury was related to a calf issue, prompting Ryan Byrnes to step in from the emergency list to join the starting 22, while Tobie Travaglia remained as the substitute. St Kilda’s GM of football, David Misson, explained the situation to Fox Footy during the quarter-time break.
“He’s been managing a plantaris issue since the Melbourne game, he trained fully all week, had no problems. First warm-up, no worries. As soon as he came out for that second warm-up, he felt a sharp pain and said he couldn’t play.”
The Impact of Injuries on Phillipou’s Career
Phillipou’s career has been marred by injuries, with this latest setback adding to a series of unfortunate events. He was expected to make significant strides in his third AFL season after a strong finish in 2024. However, a stress fracture during the pre-season derailed his momentum.
After returning in Round 9, Phillipou managed to play three games before encountering a plantaris issue during the match against Melbourne in Round 13. He subsequently missed the following week’s loss to the Western Bulldogs and was eager to make his comeback against Collingwood.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
Experts believe that Phillipou has the potential to become a key player for St Kilda, provided he can overcome his injury woes. Saints coach Ross Lyon addressed the media post-match, offering reassurance to the young player.
“Our sports science (department) were a bit concerned he could do a soft-tissue injury under a full game. And he was going to play and we were (going to play him a full game). He was in the warm-up … so it was like we’ll keep him. Everything’s smooth and then I got a call from Dave Misson (saying) ‘Matteas is sore in that part of this leg’. Not dramatically but he was pretty upset with it all and we said no worries, no problem. I got on the phone, I said ‘mate don’t worry about it, you’re fine, we love you, don’t get too upset, let’s get you right’. He’ll be upset, I’ll get to him and we’ll work our way through it.”
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Return
Phillipou’s journey to recovery will be closely monitored by the club’s medical staff, with the aim of ensuring a full recovery before his next return to the field. The young gun’s resilience and determination will be crucial as he works through this challenging period.
Meanwhile, St Kilda continues to navigate the season with a focus on maintaining their competitive edge despite the setbacks. The team’s ability to adapt to these changes will be vital as they aim for a strong finish in the league.
The situation highlights the unpredictable nature of sports and the resilience required from athletes facing adversity. As Phillipou focuses on his recovery, fans and the club remain hopeful for his successful return to the game.
