- Former Canberra Raider was in first match for new club
- GoFundMe has been organised after shocking incident
Former Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors star Matt Allwood is awaiting surgery after suffering a serious spinal injury during a match last Saturday.
The 32-year-old – who also starred in the most recent season of Alone Australia on SBS – was badly hurt when he stopped a rival player from scoring a try while playing his first match for the Dora Creek Swampies.
The club, which is located on the NSW central coast, has launched an appeal to help the father of three, who is currently unable to work.
‘Matt Allwood – a proud father, husband and incredible football player took the field as a Swampie for the first time on Saturday against Waratah,’ the club wrote.
‘As Matt made an incredible try saving tackle, he unfortunately injured himself, sustaining a very serious spinal injury.
‘Matt has an uncertain road to recovery, and is unable to work as he is still awaiting to find out the full extent of his injuries and awaiting surgery, this certainly will put a strain on the young family.’
Matt Allwood (pictured with wife Ainsley and one of their children) suffered a serious spinal injury during a footy match last Saturday
The former Raiders and Warriors player (pictured with his family) was badly hurt while he made a try-saving tackle
Allwood (pictured playing for Canberra) is still waiting to find out the severity of the injury
The Raiders – where Allwood played in 2014 before switching to the Warriors – also directed their fans to the fundraiser on social media.
Allwood appeared on Alone Australia earlier this year, with the show challenging Aussies to survive for as long as possible after being dropped off in separate wilderness areas where they are devoid of human contact.
He lasted 16 days in the bush in the rugged West Coast Range of Tasmania as he competed against nine others.
‘To be honest, I was rattled,’ he said after returning to civilisation.
‘It was too much being out there on my own away from my family with no contact.’
After the show aired, his wife Ainsely posted a heartfelt message to him on Facebook.
‘“SO BLOODY PROUD OF YOU MATTY!!’ she wrote.
‘Anyone sitting at home on their couch watching, thinking they could do better, go on. APPLY!!
The 32-year-old starred in the most recent season of the reality TV show Alone Australia
‘Like to see you not eat for 10 days.
‘Longest 1st tap out in the history of Alone Australia and 2nd longest tap out in history of the whole Alone Series!’
Allwood’s upbringing on a NSW cattle farm was great preparation for the show, and his Instagram account is full of videos and photos of him practising his bushcraft.
‘Growing up, I didn’t watch Bob the Builder – I was out hunting grandpa’s rabbits,’ he told the Warriors.
‘I’ve literally been hunting my whole life and I’ve been outdoors since before I can remember.’
