Adelaide legend Tony Modra has undergone a marathon round of facial surgery and was making good progress in hospital, following his fatal truck crash on Thursday evening.
There were fears for the life of the 57-year-old later the livestock truck he was driving crashed in South Australia when a tree fell on the side of the road, leaving him with serious injuries.
Modra, who owns a cattle farm in Waitpinga, south of Victor Harbour, was the sole occupant of the cattle truck. He was driving along Range Road, Back Valley, about 10 kilometers west of Victor Harbor when the accident happened, and was airlifted to Flinders Medical Center in Adelaide for treatment.
Fellow Ravens star Mark Ricciuto said Saturday that Modra, one of the most popular players of the 1990s and known as a prolific scorer and high jumper, needed surgery to repair the left side of his face.
“He continues to recover which is unbelievable,” Ricciuto told Kayo Sports.
“Everyone was worried about him for 24 to 36 hours, worried that he might not make it but he shows the resilience we expect from Tony.
“He had a very long day in surgery, it was still going on until midnight to fix the left side of his face where a branch or tree went through the truck and put his jaw, cheek and eye socket – they had to put it all back together.
“He may not be as good looking as Tony Modra when he recovers, but the good news is that he will recover and recover well.”
The club and football world have rallied around Modra and his family, with fans paying tribute to the star forward at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, as the Crows host Melbourne in an AFL clash.
Kunguru fans started cheering for Modra in the sixth minute of the first quarter. The man known as “Godra” wore number 6 for the club.
He played 165 AFL games, kicking 588 goals, and played 118 of those with the Crows, kicking 440 goals – second in club history, behind Taylor Walker – before kicking 148 goals in 47 games for Fremantle.
A huge banner reading “Godra” was also unveiled.
Before the match, Crows coach Matthew Nicks, who is also a friend of Modra and who idolized him growing up, spoke about the situation.
“He still has an amazing presence in this state, let alone this football club that is our family,” Nicks told Kayo Sports.
“Every day of the game, he’s still driving downfield, and he’s known (for playing) stealing balls that go down behind the goals.
“To hear what his family is going through, we spoke openly, as a group, an hour and a half ago.
“The truth is we need to lock ourselves in and focus, but there is great respect, he is loved by this football club, and we will be there for him.”
Stay tuned for the best AFL news in the country. Subscribe to the Real Footy newsletter.
Roy’s ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news reporter. He has been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect through X or email address.
