Tony Modra’s wife has opened up about how their children comforted the AFL great in hospital as he recovered from the truck accident that nearly killed him.
Erica Modra has revealed their daughter Hayley, 18, and 14-year-old son Luke shared stories with their dad as he recovered from surgery at Adelaide’s Flinders Medical Centre.
Mrs Modra said her children tried to tell him all about how Adelaide Crows fans paid tribute to him over the weekend as they beat the Melbourne Demons.
She said the support from the AFL world has been a huge boost for the Crows legend.
Modra was left with severe injuries to his face after a tree branch smashed through the windscreen of his cattle truck in a freak accident more than one hour south of Adelaide.
His family has since received many messages of support from friends, family and the wider AFL community.
Tony Modra (pictured) has received widespread support from the AFL community as he recovers from injuries he suffered in a freak truck accident
Modra (pictured) had his spirits lifted when his children told him how Adelaide Crows fans paid tribute to him on Saturday as he recovered from facial surgery in hospital
Pictured: One of many Crows fans who hailed Modra during the team’s win over the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval
‘He was overcome with emotion and gratitude,’ Mrs Modra said.
‘There has been an overwhelming show of love from our friends, extended family, the AFL community across the country, and broader public.
The 165-game veteran has now been moved out of intensive care after surgery on his jaw, cheekbone and eye socket.
Modra’s former teammate and good friend Mark Ricciuto revealed the star hasn’t suffered any brain damage from the crash.
‘He remembered everything that happened, if you can believe that,’ Ricciuto said.
‘So no concussion, no brain injury, which is a huge positive… so great news he’s got no brain issues, [but it’s] a little bit tough emotionally to get through reliving what happened.
‘It’s a miracle not only that he’s alive, but that he is at the point he is at right now.’
Meanwhile, Erica has explained her husband’s recovery journey will be far from easy.
Erica Modra (pictured with Tony and their son Luke) said her husband was ‘overcome with emotion and gratitude’ at the outpouring of support from the footy world
Modra has had two bouts of surgery since a tree branch smashed through his truck’s windscreen on Thursday night
‘Over the past four days, during which Anthony has twice undergone surgery, he has made encouraging progress,’ she said.
‘However, we are still working through the extent of his injuries and as a family, we are in a very challenging period.
‘There’s a long road ahead.’
Modra’s accident happened near his sheep and cattle farm in Waitpinga on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
The Crows faithful paid tribute to the 57-year-old during the Adelaide Oval clash against Melbourne with a round of applause at the six-minute mark, due to the fact Modra wore the No.6 guernsey with the team.
Some fans held up signs reading ‘Godra’, in a reference to the incredible career he carved out with the Crows and later, the Fremantle Dockers.
Crows assistant Murray Davis said the club remained in constant contact with the Modra family.
‘It was a pretty special moment on that six-minute mark. We weren’t quite aware of it in the coaches’ box, and we sort of thought, what’s all that about?’ he said.
