MELBOURNE defender Libby Birch has said teammate Eliza McNamara is facing a "year-long" recovery from a serious gym accident.
The lively winger slipped while lifting a barbell, requiring surgery after a fracture to the lumbar portion of her spine, with Melbourne subsequently placing her on the inactive list.
"It was really devastating for all of us, unfortunately we all saw it happen in the gym. It was just a usual exercise with a barbell that you do 1000 times as an athlete over many, many years, and unfortunately she just tripped and fell backwards," Birch told womens.afl.
"It was quite traumatising for not only Eliza, but all of us. We all care deeply for one another and to have a sister go down in a really devastating way, has affected us all.
"And we're wrapping our arms around Eliza and we're so glad she's okay, and everything neurologically is intact. It's going to be a long road to recovery, and we'll be there every step of the way for her.
Birch – who is a physio in her life away from football – is used to injuries of all shapes and sizes, but was shaken up by the incident.
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"If it happens on the field, you can kind of understand that's what happens with contact sports, but if it happens in the gym, and it's an unfortunate accident that's ended up with a serious year-long rehab, it's even more devastating, I feel," Birch said.
"It's kind of unfair, and inexplicable. It's been something for us all to process, and particularly for Eliza, it'll take some time, but we're super keen to get her in the club very soon and get her around."
Birch said the team had not watched back the Grand Final loss to Adelaide, and the unusually short turnaround between seasons provided a rare opportunity for quick revenge.
"We've got Adelaide round one, so it's a Grand Final rematch and it's not too much time to think about it, you have to just get into action," Birch said.
"There's not a six-month gap where you're waiting to prove yourself as a team again, so that's something we're excited about. It's an awesome opportunity in round one at Norwood Oval to show everyone how much we've improved as a group."
