Max Augerinos is coming to terms with the reality he may have played his last game of football after suffering a third ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The two-time St Mary’s premierships star, who had previously undergone two reconstructions on his right knee, damaged his left knee in the win over Colac in Round 9.
After meeting with leading surgeon Julian Feller, Augerinos has decided against going under the knife, closing the door on the 27-year-old’s career for now.
“It’d be very unlikely for me to get back out there,” Augerinos told K rock Football.
“It’d just be negligent and a bit silly, I think, to test these knees out again that are clearly not really up to the level of playing GFL footy.
“And there’s a lot of stuff in my life that’s really good; every other aspect’s really great.
“It’s part of my story, and another chapter is opening up, and it could be a blessing in disguise that allows me to find something that makes me really happy.
“I’ve booked a half-marathon for December, so that will be the new goal
“l won’t be switching off; if anything, I’ll be doing more swimming, gym work, and running.”
Augerinos was braced for the worst after undergoing testing with St Mary’s physio Justin Edwards on the Monday following the win over the Tigers.
However, despite being resigned to his fate, Augerinos kept the likelihood of a ruptured ACL between him, Edwards, and his girlfriend Alex.
Only when scans two days later confirmed the worst did he share the information with his parents, coaches, and teammates.
“I planned for it, so when the call came through, it was not a surprise,” Augerinos said.
“The more challenging aspect was ringing my parents, ringing the coaches and letting them know what’s happened.
“It was clearly a big surprise for them.
“It wasn’t an easy day – probably one of the toughest days I’ve had having those conversations.”
Augerinos suffered his first ruptured ACL as a 17-year-old while at the Geelong Falcons and second with VFL club Werribee, where he was good enough to make 26 appearances with the Tigers.
Despite the disappointment of his latest injury, Augerinos is content with what he has achieved.
“Two premierships, played VFL; I think that’s pretty good,” he said. “A lot of people would have loved to have done what I’ve done.
“What does help with being content is that I couldn’t have given it any more.
“I gave it my best shot (and) didn’t leave any stone unturned.
“Doing knees at 17 and 20 made it difficult, but to return to VFL level after that is something I’m pretty proud of.
“There will always be a sense of underachievement, and that’s for my whole career, and I’m probably not the only one who thinks like that.
“But, I have proved to myself that I’m good enough at a lot of levels of footy… I just didn’t get the length or achievements that I would have liked to.”
Augerinos might not be able to have an impact on the field as St Mary’s chases its third premiership in four seasons, but he has put his hand up to play a role off the ground in the run to September.
“After the bye, I’ll get back (to the club),” he said.
“Me and ‘Raynes’ (co-coach Luke Rayner) have already spoken about a potential role on the bench checking in with the players as they come off.
“I think I’ve got value to add to the run home.
“I’m not going anywhere, and I’m still going to hang around.
“It’s something that’s going to be hard at times, but I think I’ve got to do it.”
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