The AFLW season is over before it began as Western Bulldogs defender and AFL New Zealand Heritage player Mua Laloifi ruptured her ACL in a match simulation.
Laloifi, 31, previously suffered a torn ACL in 2018 in her opposite knee, before she was on an AFLW list. She wasn’t offered a contract by Carlton for this year, and was traded to the Dogs.
“As a program and as a club, we’re all devastated for Mua – for it to happen in a match simulation on the eve of the season too is just incredibly unfortunate,” general manager of women’s football Patrice Berthold said.
“Mua had put in a mountain of work this pre-saeason and was set for an impactful campaign, so we’re heartbroken for her.
“We’ll wrap our arms around Mua and support her in every way possible as she begins her road to recovery.”
It’s a significant setback for the rebuilding Bulldogs, with Laloifi set to add crucial experience and a calm defensive head to a very young side.
