Injury Ends Richter’s Season
Words: Steve Pitman and Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images
Brisbane Strikers captain Jonti Richter will take no further part in the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Richter, 31, was injured during his side’s come-from-behind 3-2 win over Western Pride at Perry on Saturday, with scans confirming the extent of the damage to his right knee on Monday.
It is expected the winger’s rehabilitation will take as long as ten months, ending his contributions for the remainder of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 season.
Richter conceded he was shattered at the extent of his most recent injury but has refused to rule out a return next season.
“Once the adrenalin started wearing off and the pain really started setting in there was the thought of, like, is this really happening again?” Richter explained.
“Obviously I know there’s a fair amount of layoff with this one so, in many ways, I suppose in my head a little bit I was like ‘can I really do this again?’”
“But at the same time I don’t want my last memory of ever playing on a soccer field to be of me limping off, or getting stretchered off. I’d rather walk off, win lose or draw, trophy or no trophy, saying I’ve had enough of playing – not because something’s made me stop.”
He added, “Part of the frustration is that the last six or seven years, when I should have been playing my best football, it’s just been taken away from me.”
“That’s something that happens in life – the luck of the draw – but it’s hard to take.”
Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans admitted it will be hard to replace Richter, whose early season form has been crucial to Strikers undefeated start to the campaign
“In the first three games he’s been a key player for us and it’s just heartbreaking for the group to lose such an influential member of the team and such a good captain as well,” A’herne-Evans said.
“We’ll do all we can to continue to support him through his rehabilitation because even though he’s not on the pitch he knows, and the players know, that he will still be a key player to the squad,” he concluded.
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