Barber avoids ACL damage

Olivia Barber celebrates a goal in Geelong’s VFLW win over Southern Saints. (Geelong Cats image/Arj Giese)

GEELONG is breathing a sigh of relief after scans on a knee injury suffered by Olivia Barber revealed she has avoided a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Instead, the 18-year-old forward suffered damage to her posterior cruciate ligament during the Cats’ VFLW loss to Carlton last Saturday and won’t require surgery.

Geelong says the 2019 under-18 All-Australian will begin a rehabilitation program that should have her ready for the start of AFLW pre-season in September.

Drafted with pick No.21 in last year’s AFLW Draft from NAB League club Murray Bushrangers, Barber played seven games and kicked three goals in her debut season.

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