Nadia von Bertouch will miss the remainder of the 2020 AFLW Season after rupturing her left ACL in Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs. 

The tough-as-nails forward sustained the injury in an innocuous incident in the third quarter, but played out the game to finish with five disposals and a tackle. 

AFLW Senior Coach Peta Searle said it was heartbreaking to see the South Australian recruit go down so early in the season. 

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“It’s devastating that we will be without Nadia for the rest of the year,” Searle told saints.com.au. 

The way she played on Sunday was just a glimpse of her tenacity and courage, and how she was able to pick herself up after several heavy knocks was inspiring to the girls.

- Peta Searle

Von Bertouch was involved in a sickening collision midway through the third quarter, but sprang to her feet completely unfazed. 

“She clearly leads by example and is a role model to our young brigade,” Searle said. 

“Nadia may not be able to take to the field, but her impact in-house is going to be just as prominent as it was before.” 

Von Bertouch was signed as a free agent following the NAB Women’s Draft to become the final member of the Saints’ inaugural AFLW team.