Gary Rohan, the seasoned Australian rules football player, has made a remarkable comeback to practice just one week after undergoing emergency surgery for a fractured skull. The 33-year-old Geelong Cats forward was injured in a match last weekend in the Victorian Football League, a secondary tier of the Australian Football League (AFL), when he sustained an accidental elbow to the head.
Despite being ruled out of the AFL semifinal clash against the Brisbane Lions this Saturday, Rohan was seen on the sidelines at GMHBA Stadium, engaging in ball drills with his teammates. His return to practice was marked by a significant physical reminder of his injury—a scar extending ear-to-ear across his shaved head, where more than 30 stitches were placed during the surgery.
The injury occurred when Rohan took what was described as a “glancing blow” to the head, leading to his immediate transport to the hospital. Inside the stadium’s medical room, it was quickly evident that he had failed the concussion test, prompting further medical intervention.
In a social media update from his hospital bed, Rohan shared a selfie with his wife, Madi Rohan, expressing his disappointment about his unexpected hospital stay. “Not the place I had planned to spend my weekend,” Rohan wrote. “Scans have confirmed a fractured skull but I am doing well and in the best hands. Now just waiting on surgery. Thank you for all of the messages and well wishes.”
The injury has raised concerns about the future of Rohan’s career. Both 7News and Fox Sports have reported that the forward, renowned for his speed on the field, does not currently have a contract for the upcoming season.
Rohan’s AFL career began in 2010 with the Sydney Swans, where he played for nine seasons before being traded to the Geelong Cats in 2019. Over his career, he has scored 215 goals in 200 games.