Australian netball star Tegan Philip's season is over before it began after confirmation she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Philip faces a knee reconstruction, sidelining her for the rest of 2016, after incurring the injury in an ANZ Championship pre-season practice match for the Melbourne Vixens against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Shepparton on Saturday night.
A member of the Vixens' 2014 ANZ Championship title-winning side, 28-year-old Philip has played nine Tests for Australia and was part of the Commonwealth Games gold medal team at Glasgow.
Philip said she would draw encouragement from Diamonds and Vixens teammate Madi Robinson who went through the same experience last year.
"Unfortunately, injuries like these are a part of the game and I've now got to focus on my rehab and doing what I can to assist the team from the sidelines," Philip said.
Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander spoke with Philip after learning of the injury.
"It's a real shame for Tegan because she was really looking forward to having a big year and taking her game to another level and was determined to regain her spot in the Australian Diamonds team," Alexander said.
"Our priority is to make sure we do everything in our power to support Tegan in her recovery."
