Jonathan Brown needed 10 stitches for a cut on his elbow after a car knocked him from his bike yesterday.
BRISBANE Lions captain Jonathan Brown says he felt like he’d just played a game of football after his collision with a car on the Gold Coast yesterday.
The former South Warrnambool footballer escaped serious injury when he was hit by a car while cycling.
Brown, 30, needed 10 stitches in his elbow at Gold Coast Hospital.
The triple premiership forward was on a morning training ride with 20 cyclists through Tallebudgera Valley when he was hit by the car at an intersection just after 6am.
He suffered a cut to his elbow and the car was towed away.
Speaking to the Brisbane Lions’ website, Brown said he was given “a clean bill of health”.
“(I have) a couple of little dings here and there but I will be right for training,” he said.
“I was just training with a few blokes and I entered the roundabout and unfortunately the car didn’t quite see me and just collected me on the way through.
“I know she wouldn’t have meant it. I just got hit on the side and my elbow smashed the windscreen and I got 10 stitches in my elbow.
“Fortunately enough I landed on all fours, got up straight away and didn’t lose consciousness or anything,” he said.
“I am pretty good. I just feel like I’ve played a game of footy.” Brown said he had scans on his head, neck and hips, which came back clear.
“I’ll be back on day one of pre-season. The body is pretty healthy and I’ve enjoyed the break,” he said.
“(I had) a little bit of a hiccup this morning but all-in-all I am recovering for season 2013 and looking forward to having a full pre-season this time again.”
Brown contacted club officials to notify them of his well-being after the incident.
A Lions spokesman said Brown was revered for his resilience.
“Everyone in the AFL world and the football industry knows how tough Jonathan Brown is — that’s why we love him,” the spokesman said.
The crash was the latest in a series of setbacks for Brown, who has suffered severe facial injuries in the past two seasons.
Brown damaged his jaw, eye socket and voice box in round one in 2011 against Fremantle.
The injury sidelined him for eight weeks.
His comeback was short-lived when he suffered another facial injury eight weeks into his return and needed season-ending surgery.
Brown was again injured in February when he collided with Lions teammate and fellow South Warrnambool export Matt Maguire in a marking drill at training.
The inspirational leader returned in round three and had a consistent season, playing 20 games and kicking 47 goals in 2012.
— With AAP
