- Michael Pisker suffered horrific injuries from 2024 AFL game
Suburban AFL player Michael Pisker won’t forget the July 2024 clash against University Blues anytime soon – and with good reason.
Pisker, 25, saw his life change instantly when injured in a marking contest after his face collided with the legs of an opponent in the Victorian Amateur Football Association competition.
The St Kevin’s Old Boys representative then spent 17 days in an induced coma and eventually lost his right eye.
Doctors at The Alfred Hospital were also forced to remove part of Pisker’s skull, freezing it at -80 degrees to allow for blood pressure to be relieved.
The skull fragment was reinserted months later.
Incredibly, this weekend Pisker returns to footy with his beloved St Kevin’s – but not as a player, this time as an assistant coach.
Suburban AFL player Michael Pisker won’t forget the 2024 clash against University Blues anytime soon – and with good reason
Pisker, 25, saw his life change instantly when injured in a marking contest after his face collided with the legs of a University Blues opponent in Victoria
The St Kevin’s Old Boys player then spent 17 days in an induced coma and eventually lost his right eye (pictured)
Incredibly, this weekend Pisker returns to footy – but not as a player, this time as an assistant coach with St Kevin’s OB (pictured, doing his rehab at the Alfred Hospital)
‘I remember the nurse came around and she asked what my goals in rehab are, this was pretty early… and I remember saying I think finals are in a couple of months, I’d like to get back for those games,’ he told News Corp.
‘She just smiled and said I probably didn’t realise how serious this incident was.
‘The immediate impact of it hit me a little then, but even part of me probably still doesn’t accept that I’m still never going to play again…it is difficult.’
Following a trip overseas, the mortgage lender with ANZ eventually reached out to St Kevin’s Old Boys senior coach Anthony Lynch, who didn’t hesitate to offer Pisker a coaching role.
Club president Patrick Mount said Pisker’s return has been a ‘huge boost’.
‘Michael has always been a popular clubman, he was an incredible player, very social and loved by everyone,’ he said.
‘At the time (of Pisker’s injury) we had clubs we’ve never had any connection with reach out and donate money… and even (AFL CEO) Andrew Dillon.
‘It shows the power of community football.’
