During the Musitano Cup clash a fortnight ago, Hanwood FC White lost another player to a knee injury.

Joey Schirripa became the third player suspected to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

It comes after coach Jason Bertacco – who just had surgery on his knee – and Andrew Quarisa both injured their ACLs.

Hanwood FC’s Brian Bertolin said the losses were monumental.

“It’s a fairly huge vacuum of experience to lose in the pre-season,” Bertolin said.

“It’s not good what happened but it gives an opportunity to the other guys who are going to have to do a little bit more now, particularly with their voices.

“These three, especially Jason and Joey, were big talkers and a strong influence on the squad before, during and after the games.” 

Bertolin said the horror run reminded him of another torrid season with injury a few years back.

“We had a season, probably five or six years ago, where we had about five broken legs in one season and this is close to a repeat of that,” Bertolin said.

While the run with injury hasn’t been great, the side’s final pre-season match holds Hanwood FC White in good stead heading into this Saturday’s clash with Yoogali FC.

That trial game was the Musitano Cup clash against Yoogali FC a fortnight ago.

Hanwood FC White was too strong and came away with a 3-1 victory.

The star of the match was Danny Johnson who claimed a hat-trick of goals for his side.

This Saturday’s first round clash between Hanwood FC White and Yoogali FC one will start at 3pm at Noe Santolin Oval.