Maddy Gordon carried from the court by team mates Amelia Walmsley (L) and Parris Mason (R) after being injured during the Pulse vs Steel netball match on 28 April 2024. Photo: Marty Melville
The Pulse have suffered a major blow to their ANZ Premiership campaign, losing starting centre Maddy Gordon for up to 12 weeks.
Gordon had to leave the court in their round three game against the Steel in Wellington on April 28, tweaking her ankle.
Scans have confirmed a significant ligament sprain, which will rule her out of action for up to 12 weeks.
The dynamic midcourter was the 2023 ANZ Premiership Player of the Year, featuring consistently in the top 10 for feeds, intercepts and deflections during the 2023 season.
The Silver Fern was continuing where she left off in the first few rounds of this year's ANZ Premiership. The Pulse have made a great start to the season and are unbeaten after four rounds.
"Maddy has been in superb form this season and is a key team member on and off court,'' Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola said.
"We are all extremely disappointed for Maddy and remain hopeful we will see her on court again this season.''
The Wellington based side's final regular season game is in about 10 weeks time on 22 July.
Pulse management are currently working through the logistics of an interim replacement player which should be known later this week and will continue to re-evaluate Gordon's progress before confirming any long-term injury replacement.
The Pulse have also been missing front-line shooter Tiana Metuarau, who has been sidelined with a foot injury. Metuarau told Sky Sport last weekend that she could be out for another month.
On Sunday, former Silver Ferns midcourter Claire Kersten, who retired last year after two seasons with the Magic and eight seasons with the Pulse, answered an SOS from her old franchise.
Kersten played 53 minutes at centre. The Pulse pulled off a stunning turn-around to beat the Mystics, who were missing strike shooter Grace Nweke.
Trailing by 11 goals at half-time the Pulse held the Mystics to just 10 and six goals through the third and fourth quarters to win 52-47.
Claire Kersten playing for the Magic last year. Photo: Jeremy Ward
