After spending a moment in the sun with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Jarrad Cirkel's weekend was darkened.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Running out for Bridgenorth's reserves against Scottsdale last weekend, the Parrots were able to get the job done in a 112-point thumping but Cirkel came off the ground second best.
Limping off the ground at the end of the third quarter, Cirkel had hoped for a minor injury but that wasn't the case as confirmed through the week.
Straining his PCL, tearing his MCL and leaving his ACL hanging by a thread, one of Australia's most famous mullets is still hoping for a return to football throughout the year.
"I think it's possibly wishful thinking but the surgeon said there is a little bit of my ACL left but will probably need surgery and be the end of my football career," the Bridgenorth cult hero said.
With the right knee being a troublesome body part throughout Cirkel's 22-year career at Bridgenorth which started in the Mini League competition, the ruckman has previously torn the ACL in 2015 and strained the MCL in 2014.
"This one was pretty much the same as my last ACL, pretty innocuous. I just went up for the ruck tap and landed with all my weight on the right leg and it went one way and I went the other."
Loved by the Bridgenorth faithful as a loyal club-man and genuine Australian, which was echoed by the visit from Prime Minister Morrison, Cirkel reflected on the last two weeks with a bit of a laugh.
"In the end it was good for the footy club as it got them a bit of exposure. I obviously got flung into it a bit with my haircut but it was all a bit of fun really."
With the third knee injury potentially closing the curtains on Cirkel's 292-game career at the Parrots, the tradesman chose to remember the friendships made over the on-field success.
"The mateship is probably the thing I'll love or miss the most.
"Individually, I've had some success along the way, winning four reserves premierships but it's the mates that keep me going back to the club every week."
A Bridgenorth player through and through, Cirkel added that the injury certainly wouldn't deter him from keeping an avid involvement in the club and its running.
"I'll definitely stick around. No other club will have me so I won't be going anywhere."
The Parrots are sitting third in the seniors, reserves and under-18s competitions, showing the depth of their Bridgenorth talent with their recruits making them a force to be reckoned with.
Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.