LIFE CHANGING INJURY By Peter Argent

This from the Eagles website:
LIFE CHANGING INJURY
By Peter Argent
Young Eagles talent Brodie Lomas received news at the start of this season which would be shattering for any talented young footballer. After the euphoria of achieving a childhood dream of playing SANFL league football last year and being recalled for the club’s last three finals, Lomas has dealt with a number of set backs this year, but still has a positive attitude.
As a 20-year-old he made his SANFL league debut as a half forward against Port Adelaide in Round 15 last year and ultimately was a member of the Eagles grand final loss to Central District.
In March this year Lomas was given a life changing diagnosis after blacking out while driving his car before the start of the season. On the way home from his employment as an electrician, Lomas passed out while driving down Hanson Road. He crashed into a car and woke up disorientated.
Having irregular ECG readings in the ambulance on the way to hospital, Lomas spent the next couple of day going through a myriad of tests. Medical experts then told him that he had a heart condition called “Long QT Syndromeâ€. This condition makes Lomas’ heart predisposed to go into irregular rhythms, not allowing enough blood to be pumped into his body.
To rectify this problem, Lomas who lives in Seaton, had a defibrillator implanted next to the heart. This instrument can take over the control of his heartbeat from the brain – with wires running through the veins of his heart.
Originally from the rural township of Clare in this famous wine district, he started playing with the South Clare Demons as a six-year-old, progressing through the club’s junior grades, before trying his luck at Woodville Oval in 2001. This will be Lomas’ sixth season in the Woodville-West Torrens tri-colours. He progressed through the Under 17s, Under 19s and Reserves, before getting his opportunity at the top level during last year.
“Brodie is a ‘in and under’ player with good speed and is a strong, extremely efficient tackler,†senior coach at Woodville-West Torrens, Ron Fuller said.
“He has a good natural defensive mechanism in his game and presents himself well ‘front and centre’ at the marking contest. There is no doubt he is a young man with a lot of character.â€
Having been back on the training track for a couple of weeks, Lomas never totally gave up hope of returning, even when he was initially told that he would not be able to go back to contact sports.
“I’ve returned on a restrictive program and have the full support of the doctors, whichever choice I take,†Lomas said.
Let’s hope this courageous young man adds to his seven-match tally of League games with the Eagles.
LIFE CHANGING INJURY
By Peter Argent
Young Eagles talent Brodie Lomas received news at the start of this season which would be shattering for any talented young footballer. After the euphoria of achieving a childhood dream of playing SANFL league football last year and being recalled for the club’s last three finals, Lomas has dealt with a number of set backs this year, but still has a positive attitude.
As a 20-year-old he made his SANFL league debut as a half forward against Port Adelaide in Round 15 last year and ultimately was a member of the Eagles grand final loss to Central District.
In March this year Lomas was given a life changing diagnosis after blacking out while driving his car before the start of the season. On the way home from his employment as an electrician, Lomas passed out while driving down Hanson Road. He crashed into a car and woke up disorientated.
Having irregular ECG readings in the ambulance on the way to hospital, Lomas spent the next couple of day going through a myriad of tests. Medical experts then told him that he had a heart condition called “Long QT Syndromeâ€. This condition makes Lomas’ heart predisposed to go into irregular rhythms, not allowing enough blood to be pumped into his body.
To rectify this problem, Lomas who lives in Seaton, had a defibrillator implanted next to the heart. This instrument can take over the control of his heartbeat from the brain – with wires running through the veins of his heart.
Originally from the rural township of Clare in this famous wine district, he started playing with the South Clare Demons as a six-year-old, progressing through the club’s junior grades, before trying his luck at Woodville Oval in 2001. This will be Lomas’ sixth season in the Woodville-West Torrens tri-colours. He progressed through the Under 17s, Under 19s and Reserves, before getting his opportunity at the top level during last year.
“Brodie is a ‘in and under’ player with good speed and is a strong, extremely efficient tackler,†senior coach at Woodville-West Torrens, Ron Fuller said.
“He has a good natural defensive mechanism in his game and presents himself well ‘front and centre’ at the marking contest. There is no doubt he is a young man with a lot of character.â€
Having been back on the training track for a couple of weeks, Lomas never totally gave up hope of returning, even when he was initially told that he would not be able to go back to contact sports.
“I’ve returned on a restrictive program and have the full support of the doctors, whichever choice I take,†Lomas said.
Let’s hope this courageous young man adds to his seven-match tally of League games with the Eagles.