Heartbreak for GIANTS shooter Kiera Austin and netball fans as scans confirm that the 23-year-old has tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the team's Round 1 clash against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Austin, who made her Australian Diamonds debut earlier this year, went in for scans on Monday which confirmed the injury and will now undergo a knee reconstruction next week.
GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald said the team would rally behind their young shooter.
“We’re obviously devastated for Kiera,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s coming off her best season of Suncorp Super Netball and has proven her ability on the international stage in the recent Constellation Cup.
"She’s approached this challenge with her trademark positivity and her GIANTS family are rallying around her during this tough time.
“Kiera already has her sights firmly focused on coming back bigger and better in the 2022 SSN season and looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games next year.”
Austin’s rehabilitation is expected to take around 12 months with the GIANTS to name a replacement player in the coming days.
The GIANTS return home to open Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Olympic Park in round two with a clash against the Collingwood Magpies on Saturday at 3pm.
