Former West Coast Fever defender Shannon Eagland’s season over after five games for Sunshine Coast Lightning

Former West Coast Fever defender Shannon Eagland’s Super Netball comeback has been cruelly cut short after she ruptured her right ACL while playing for Sunshine Coast Lightning against the reigning premiers at the weekend.

The Lightning confirmed the worst for Eagland, 32, who will miss the rest of the season after going down in the final quarter of their loss to Fever at USC Stadium on Sunday.

Eagland linked up with former Fever assistant coach Belinda Reynolds at the Lightning as a permanent replacement player for Tara Hinchliffe who also ruptured her ACL during a pre-season tournament in February.

The defender played five games for the Lightning, after playing one for Fever last season after defender Sunday Aryang missed a game because of COVID-19.

“I am absolutely devastated for Shannon who has recently moved over from Perth and joined the team here on the Sunshine Coast,” Reynolds said.

“Shannon has been a great addition to our team. She’s been performing well on court, she’s a real team player who has been a great fit for our culture and it’s incredibly disappointing this has happened to her.

“Shannon has suffered this injury before and I have complete faith she will return to the sport after her rehabilitation.”

It is the second time Eagland has ruptured an ACL, this one in her left knee, in just her fourth game for Fever in 2017 after signing as a recruit from Victoria.

Lightning are yet to announce a replacement player.