Vic: Carlton player tells jury of injury

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2000
Vic: Carlton player tells jury of injury

MELBOURNE, Aug 24 AAP - A former Carlton footballer told a jury today how players and
trainers had been stamping down parts of a football ground before he injured his knee
in 1993.

One time Blues ruck rover and half-forward Luke "Rhino" O'Sullivan has launched damages
action against the AFL and his old club over the knee injury sustained on a rough playing
surface in a Fosters Cup game at Waverley Park.

O'Sullivan today told the Victorian County Court jury of the nightmare year he had
after the injury and of associated injuries since.

He said on the night of the pre-season match between Carlton and Footscray there were
sand patches on the ground and the turf, which was quite loose, had come up in places
because of player movement.

He said he had seen players using their feet to stamp down parts of the ground. Video
footage of the game showed trainers replacing pieces of turf on the ground.

O'Sullivan said at one stage in the second quarter he felt the surface move beneath
him, his leg collapse under him and "the rest is history".

He said if he had had a successful year in 1993 and 1994 he would have sought a contract
in excess of $100,000 a year from the club.

O'Sullivan retired in 1997 and is claiming damages for loss of earnings and pain and
loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the injury.

The case before Judge Anthony Smith is continuing.

AAP cmc/sp/jlw/cd/bwl

KEYWORD: OSULLIVAN (CARRIED EARLIER)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.