Torquay co-captain and four-time Les Ash Medalist James Darke will join Dom Gleeson on the sidelines for the rest of the season after his season ended early in devastating fashion.
The reigning league’s best player was caught in a contest when the injury occurred, with Darke set to miss the next 12 months as he recovers from the surgery.
Torquay coach Dom Gleeson said it was devastating for the club co-captain.
“It’s horrible news, it’s obviously a 12 month recovery,” he said.
James Darke has torn his ACL. Picture: Alan Barber
“The beautiful thing about James is he’s already ready to rip in and help out in the coaching ranks, which is great, so he’ll be a big loss on field but the boys have got around him and he’ll go in for surgery next week.
“He’ll help out coaching wise once he’s ready to.
“He had two bodies on him and he slipped and then it grabbed, there’s cracked bone in there as well, it was like a car crash.”
Darke stepped away from the game in 2018 but returned to Torquay for the 2021 season, winning back to back Les Ash Medals since returning, adding to the collection that includes the awards won in 2014 and 2017.
The midfielder was named Torquay’s co-captain for the 2023 season, leading the Tigers to a 7-0 start to the 2023 season after losing the grand final to Barwon Heads in 2022.
Torquay’s James Darke won his fourth Les Ash Medal as the league’s best and fairest.
Gleeson said Darke was not close to retirement, and fully expected his co-captain to return to football in 2024.
“If anyone’s going to come through an injury like that, and do everything right for his rehab, it’s James Darke, I look forward to seeing how he bounces back.
“I don’t think retirement ever crossed his mind, he’s still young enough, he’s got plenty left, he’ll play until his 35.”
Gleeson said he expected the midfield brigade to step up in Darke’s absence.
“It’s going to be interesting to see our midfield without Darkie, we haven’t seen it for a few years, so it’ll be interesting to see how the others take up the reigns and who becomes the general in there.
“I think we’ve got depth enough to fill the position, but it’s about replacing that leadership in there that’ll be the hardest part.
“As sad as I am, I am excited to see who steps up.”