UPDATE: Star netballer Amy Richardson faces heartbreak just days before the grand final as she sustains a severe knee injury during the finals. Richardson, who was awarded the Hume Netball Association’s A-grade best and fairest award on Monday night, confirmed she will miss the pivotal match against Jindera due to an ACL and PCL injury sustained in the semi-final.
“I’m very honoured and very grateful to the club for everything they have done for me this year,” Richardson stated in a poignant reflection on her debut season with the Henty Netball Club. The Swampies made an impressive run, overcoming Osborne, Billabong Crows, and Howlong to secure their first grand final appearance in years. However, the team’s momentum has been marred by Richardson’s injury.
“This is a cruel twist of fate,” she added, expressing her disappointment. “I would love to be out there with the girls, but I’ll be their biggest cheerleader.” The community’s support is palpable, with Richardson noting, “I think the whole town is buzzing at the moment. There’s definitely going to be lots of red out there on the weekend.”
Richardson’s remarkable debut season saw her shine alongside teammates, especially after welcoming back key players like Vashti Muller and Molly Murray. “A key takeaway from the year is that we have had so much fun playing with each other,” she mentioned, highlighting the team’s unity and belief that propelled them to success.
The Swampies enter the grand final as underdogs against the reigning champions. “We’ll see how we go, but if everyone’s playing their best netball, I think anyone’s good enough,” Richardson said, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport. “We have a lot of depth, so you never know what can happen.”
As anticipation builds for the grand final, fans and players alike are eager to see how the Henty Swampies will perform without their star player. With the community rallying behind them, the team is set to make a statement on the field.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the grand final date approaches.
