Right: Star Rangers defender Emily McInerney left the court with a hamstring injury on Sunday.In 40 years in the game, Dandenong Rangers coach Gary Fox has never seen anything like it. His players are dropping like flies, Glen Atwell reports.
THE Dandenong Rangers won the battle, but their injury toll has continued to win the war.
An inspiring 70-67 come-from-behind victory against the Townsville Fire at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Sunday was soured by more devastating injuries.
A trademark Caitlin Ryan three-point buzzer beater gave Dandenong its fourth win of the season, but three more Rangers have succumbed to sitting on the sidelines.
A first-quarter ankle injury to the Rangers’ only point guard, Jodie Datson, ended her match, while a fourth-quarter hamstring injury to crucial defender Emily McInerney almost cost Dandenong the win.
But the most serious injury occurred last Thursday night, when Rangers recruit Aneka Kerr suffered a season-ending knee injury during a training mishap.
The 26-year-old was running a simple training drill when her left knee gave way.
Kerr ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and will require a knee reconstruction and spend at least 12 months off the court.
It is the second time Kerr has seriously injured her left knee and could cast doubt over her playing future.
Datson, McInerney and Kerr join Samantha Richards, Kathleen McLeod, Shelley Hammonds and Demelza Waixel in the Dandenong medical room.
Coach Gary Fox said he could field a great Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) side entirely from the injured players.
“With just our injured players, I think we could have a side in the top four and playing finals,” he said.
“It feels like a curse.”
Fox said in his 40-year involvement with basketball, he had never seen a side go through so much hardship in one season.
“We look like a MASH unit after our games, it is sometimes unbelievable,” he said.
On the court, Fox was pleased his side demonstrated its fighting ability against the Fire on Sunday.
“The win was sensational, there is no other way to describe it,” he said. “In terms of sporting excitement it was the greatest, you’d have to be a zombie not to enjoy that.”
Dandenong trailed 53-45 at three-quarter time, but outscored the Fire 25-14 in the final term.
Larissa Cavanagh (20 points) was impressive and Jenna O’Hea (18 points, nine rebounds, four assists) proved why she is the leading points scorer in the WNBL.
Co-captain Ryan scored 10 of her 13 points in the last quarter, including the three-point basket on the buzzer that sealed the win and sent the 700-plus Dandenong crowd into hysteria.
After losing the first three games of the season, the Rangers have fought back into play-off contention, winning four of their past five games to sit just one win outside the top four.
Fox said it was hard to gauge his expectations of the side, considering the quality of the missing players.
“We did a lot of recruiting before the season and during the first few weeks,” he said.
“Now a lot will depend on when players return. It’s a tough situation to be in.”
In some good news, point guard Kathleen McLeod has recovered from her knee injury and is likely to play against Perth at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
Tip-off is at 7.30pm.
