SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 08: Ash Riddell of the Kangaroos leaves the field on crutches following the round two AFLW match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Drummoyne Oval on February 08, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
North Melbourne AFLW rising star Ash Riddell has been ruled out for six weeks following an ankle injury suffered against GWS on Friday night.
The midfielder was taken out off the ball by GWS defender Nicola Barr causing a syndesmosis injury to her right ankle that will require surgery.
The injury will likely see her miss the rest of her debut AFLW season after promising showings in her first two games.
“Ash was having a terrific debut year and this is very disappointing for her,” North head of football operations Laura Kane told North Media.
“It’s likely she’ll need around six weeks to recover after the operation and we’ll do everything we can to get her back up to full speed as quickly as possible without compromising her long-term fitness and health.”
As a consequence of the bump, Barr was suspended for a game on a rough conduct charge.