injuryupdate
18-09-2005, 02:45 PM
Sad news from the Age:
Broken neck ends Bowyer's career
By Samantha Lane
September 18, 2005
Glen Bowyer's football career ended with a horrific thud when a severe collision in his last game left him with a fracture in his neck and bleeding on his brain.
It was only when Bowyer returned to Carlton this week for a standard exit medical examination that the neck damage was revealed.
The 25-year-old former Hawk spent two seasons trying to resurrect his AFL career with the Blues after playing 35 matches at Glenferrie between 1999 and 2001.
Bowyer is awaiting further advice from his neurosurgeon, but could require delicate surgery that would involve incisions in the front of his neck.
He will receive the results of his latest MRI scan tomorrow and said he has been reassured that the club will support him through the process.
The trouble started not long after Bowyer was involved in a heavy clash in a marking contest during the Northern Bullants' VFL qualifying final against Sandringham three weeks ago.
Bowyer did not return to the field, but after doctors cleared him of any structural damage, he was advised to rest. By Monday afternoon Bowyer had headaches, which he assumed were related to concussion.
"On the Tuesday night, it got to the point where I couldn't stand up or sit up without fainting or throwing up or anything like that, so the doctor came over and suggested I go to hospital," Bowyer said last week.
He had further scans, which revealed bleeding on his brain. Bowyer spent most of that week in hospital.
"The doc said that was the first one he'd seen in football, or heard about.
"Fortunately the blood bled out and was caught in between the skull and the brain . . . if it bled inwards I would have been in a bit of trouble."
Bowyer said he had already decided before the end of this season to retire.
He last played in Carlton's senior side in round 16, but played for the club's VFL affiliate subsequently. His 20 matches with the Blues took his career tally to 55 matches.
Broken neck ends Bowyer's career
By Samantha Lane
September 18, 2005
Glen Bowyer's football career ended with a horrific thud when a severe collision in his last game left him with a fracture in his neck and bleeding on his brain.
It was only when Bowyer returned to Carlton this week for a standard exit medical examination that the neck damage was revealed.
The 25-year-old former Hawk spent two seasons trying to resurrect his AFL career with the Blues after playing 35 matches at Glenferrie between 1999 and 2001.
Bowyer is awaiting further advice from his neurosurgeon, but could require delicate surgery that would involve incisions in the front of his neck.
He will receive the results of his latest MRI scan tomorrow and said he has been reassured that the club will support him through the process.
The trouble started not long after Bowyer was involved in a heavy clash in a marking contest during the Northern Bullants' VFL qualifying final against Sandringham three weeks ago.
Bowyer did not return to the field, but after doctors cleared him of any structural damage, he was advised to rest. By Monday afternoon Bowyer had headaches, which he assumed were related to concussion.
"On the Tuesday night, it got to the point where I couldn't stand up or sit up without fainting or throwing up or anything like that, so the doctor came over and suggested I go to hospital," Bowyer said last week.
He had further scans, which revealed bleeding on his brain. Bowyer spent most of that week in hospital.
"The doc said that was the first one he'd seen in football, or heard about.
"Fortunately the blood bled out and was caught in between the skull and the brain . . . if it bled inwards I would have been in a bit of trouble."
Bowyer said he had already decided before the end of this season to retire.
He last played in Carlton's senior side in round 16, but played for the club's VFL affiliate subsequently. His 20 matches with the Blues took his career tally to 55 matches.