A Humbling Moment for Hawthorn’s Head Physio
During the fourth quarter of Hawthorn’s match against Collingwood on Thursday night, head physio Andrew Lambert found himself in an unexpected and awkward situation. As the ball came into play on the wing, Lambert was attempting to move away to avoid interfering with the action or giving away a free kick. However, he was caught off guard when Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz took a mark right in front of him.
In a moment that left both players and spectators stunned, Lambert tried to flee the area but slipped over twice, grimacing in pain as he got back up. The incident occurred during a tense moment in the game, and it quickly became a talking point among fans and commentators alike.
“Trainer’s down! Hopefully all is OK, doesn’t look good,” commentator Mark Howard said on Fox Footy as the crowd gasped. North Melbourne great David King added, “It would look weird getting a trainer to come out and assess another trainer.”
Despite the mishap, the Pies continued their possession without much fuss as Lambert, hands on his hips, walked slowly off the field. Once he reached the bench, he bravely returned to work, helping captain James Sicily strap his ankle.
However, it has since been revealed that Lambert suffered tendon damage in both of his hamstrings as a result of the tumbles. According to journalist Xander McGuire, he will need surgery to correct the more severely damaged one and is expected to miss the club’s clash with Fremantle next week. This will be one of his first absences from a Hawthorn match day in over 20 years.
Lambert is clearly well respected within the four walls at Hawthorn. Club legend Luke Hodge reportedly left his broadcast duties early after the game to check on him. “Hodgey raced down after the game and said ‘I’ve got to go check on the physio’. Clearly he had a long relationship with him. Hodgey was quite worried,” Kane Cornes told SEN on Monday.
David King responded, “He looked like he’d done his ACL.” The question then arose: “Do you think Hawthorn will put him in their injury report this week?”
Hodge captained the Hawks to three successive premierships and played in four total for the club. Other Hawthorn greats, including Isaac Smith, also reportedly checked in on Lambert after the match.
Smith found the moment comical in the moment, laughing at the tumble during the Triple M radio coverage of the game. “He’s had a mare. The runners have got slippery,” Smith laughed. “He’s a good physio, he’ll be able to fix it. He’s the best in the business. One of the great men, Andrew Lambert and he likes taking the piss out of everyone, so that’ll be highlighted Monday in the review. I might sneak down (to training).”
The Hawks left Thursday night with two points after a draw with the Magpies, thanks to a Dylan Moore goal after the siren.
Key Details of the Incident
- Event: Hawthorn vs. Collingwood match
- Player Involved: Andrew Lambert, Hawthorn’s head physio
- Incident: Lambert slipped twice while trying to move away from the ball
- Reaction: Commentators and fellow players expressed concern
- Aftermath: Lambert suffered hamstring injuries and will miss the next game
- Support from Legends: Luke Hodge and Isaac Smith checked on Lambert
- Public Reaction: Some found the incident humorous, others concerned
Impact on the Team
The incident not only affected Lambert but also raised questions about the team’s preparation and the conditions of the playing field. With Lambert being a key figure in the team’s medical support, his absence could impact the squad’s performance in the upcoming matches.
Future Outlook
As Lambert prepares for surgery, the team will need to rely on other members of the medical staff to ensure that the rest of the players are well cared for. The support from fellow legends shows the strong bonds within the club, highlighting the importance of unity and care in professional sports.
