Questions are being asked of Richmond’s medical team after young gun Judson Clarke was sent back onto the field during a VFL game despite suffering a serious knee injury.
Clarke will miss the remainder of the season after scans confirmed he ruptured the graft in his right ACL during Sunday’s clash against Werribee.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Judson Clarke limps off after kicking a goal.
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It was the same ACL the 20-year-old injured in 2019.
Clarke hobbled off early on during the loss to Werribee, but had his knee strapped and returned to the field.
He then managed to kick a long goal during the third term before limping off in significant pain.
Fans couldn’t believe Clarke was allowed back onto the field.
“Club needs to release a statement about the standard of care provided to Judson Clarke,” one fan said.
“You just have to laugh at this point, why send him back out there?” another added.
“I was sure that we wouldn’t send him back on after he originally came off,” another said.
“The whole physical performance department needs to be cleaned out. We went from the best to the worst in that area in 12 months,” another said.
Clarke has played 17 AFL games, including one this year, and would have been in line for a return to the senior team as the club deals with a significant injury crisis.
“We are all feeling for Judson, who works so hard behind the scenes, to give himself the best chance to perform,” Richmond GM of performance Tim Livingstone said.
“Unfortunately, Judson injured his knee yesterday in the VFL game at Werribee.
“Our club will support Judson to return fitter and stronger next season. We know he will attack his rehab with great energy and commitment.”
The Tigers, who lost to cellar dwellers West Coast on Sunday, are dealing with an unprecedented injury crisis.
Jayden Short was the latest casualty after suffering a calf injury during the loss to the Eagles.
He joins fellow senior players Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia, Tim Taranto, Noah Balta, Jacob Hopper and Josh Gibcus on an injury list that is quickly getting out of hand.