When you’re a teenager buzzing in Round 1 of the Junior AFL season, the last thing on your mind is a long rehab journey. But that’s exactly where Abby found herself after an awkward tackle left her in excruciating pain on the ground.
Here’s how she went from being misdiagnosed and spending months on the sideline, to earning spots in the South Fremantle Football Club squad and the Freo Dockers Futures Academy.
The Knee Injury: “Something wasn’t right”
At urgent care after the injury, an X-ray showed bone shadowing, which Abby and her parents were told was ‘just her growth plates.’ The doctor prescribed a few days of ice and rest.
But mum Sam’s gut said otherwise. So, they booked an appointment with Mac at Physio73 in Leeming – they had been coming to the clinic since day one and knew he would dig deeper.
A Clear Diagnosis & Plan
The moment Mac assessed Abby’s knee, he knew it wasn’t right. He consulted an orthopaedic surgeon, and Abby was soon sent for an MRI which finally revealed a diagnosis of ACL and meniscus strains.
Given Abby’s age, her injury required careful management to avoid surgery. The surgeon’s advice was to work with Mac for three months, after which he would re-evaluate whether surgical intervention was required.
The Recovery: Slow, Steady Strength Building
Knowing how important football was to Abby, Mac worked closely with Abby and her family to formulate a plan that involved:
- Hands-on physio
- Tailored home exercises
- Regular supervised rehab
- Strength work with a personal trainer
- Strength testing
Mac saw her weekly, then fortnightly. There were lots of exercises (‘so many exercises’), lots of testing and lots of Mac gently reminding Abby to do her exercises. It was hard work, but Abby committed, spending the entire season watching her friends on the field while she strengthened her body – and only occasionally grew frustrated at Mac for ‘revoking her sporting privileges.’
The Milestones: Little Wins That Stacked Up
There wasn’t a single turning point when her knee felt 100% better, more a series of small wins that started to stack up, including Abby being able to run in her school athletics carnival.
But the big milestone was returning to pre-season. Then, at the start of the new season, Abby was invited to play up an age division, despite coming off a major injury and facing older, stronger players. Fresh out of rehab Abby was daunted, but she trusted her coaches and Mac – who monitored her progress as the season unfolded.
And it paid off.
Abby’s Comeback: South Freo FC, Fremantle Futures & An Overseas Tour
Since completing knee rehab, Abby has kicked some serious goals:
- Selected for the 2026 South Fremantle Football Club squad
- Picked for the 2026 Fremantle Dockers Futures Academy
- Chosen to travel to Ireland, France and the UK for international rules/gaelic football in 2026
All after an ACL and meniscus injury that could easily have taken her out of the sport.
In Abby’s words:
“Without Mac and the other physios at Physio 73, I don’t think my recovery would have been as positive – they guided me through the entire journey. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the goals I have without their help.”
A Message From Her Physio – Mac Maslen
“This was a complex knee injury, but with the right plan — hands-on treatment, consistent home exercises, supervised rehab and a strong collaboration with the surgeon and trainer, she has made a full return to footy.
Now she’s doing great things and well on her way to reaching her potential. We couldn’t be prouder.”
We can’t wait to see where Abby’s journey takes her next.
If an injury or persistent pain is slowing you down, we’re here to help. Check out our rehab and sports injury services, or book a session and take the first step.
