North Warrnambool Eagles star Rory Taggert breaks leg in win over Warrnambool

The former AFL-listed utility expects to miss six to eight weeks after he fractured his fibula in the Eagles’ 14.12 (96) to 6.14 (50) triumph over fellow flag contender Warrnambool at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Taggert suffered the injury in the second quarter after receiving front-on contact in a marking contest.

He attempted to take his shot at goal before leaving the field to go to hospital for scans.

“It’s pretty shattering,” Taggert said.

“I think it will be six to eight weeks out; I should make it back for finals hopefully if all goes well.”

Taggert, who will help the Eagles in an off-field coaching role, is hopeful of avoiding surgery, saying early indications are the injury will heal by itself and that he will spend a month in a moon boot.

“In a week they will reassess it and make a final call if surgery is required or not but they’re pretty confident I won’t,” he said.

Eagles co-coach Graeme Twaddle, who has his side three games clear atop the table, said Taggert knew he was in trouble.

“He took a terrific mark and there might have been a bit of front-on contact in a marking contest,” he said.

“There didn’t look like there was much in it but he was certainly sore – he tried to kick a goal and didn’t make the distance which was unusual for him.”

Twaddle said forward Dylan Parish, who played opposite Taggert during their Wimmera league days, stepped up to fill the former Melbourne Demon’s void.

“He was terrific. His role had to change because we lost Rory in the middle of the ground and he played that role,” he said.

“Matthew Wines with his in and under work was sensational too and Sam Doukas and Luke van Heugten did a job in the back line alongside Brendan Murfett.”

Twaddle said the Eagles’ third term “when they controlled the game in the midfield” proved the difference.