Guard protects Will’s last kidney Cat hero inspires footy kid

Andrew Mathieson
A CHANCE discussion from his football hero has inspired a promising Leopold junior born with one kidney to keep playing despite facing increasing adversity.
Doctors told 12-year-old Will McGuinness he could endanger his life should he cop a severe knock to his only working kidney.
The medical advice that says the risks were heightened against bigger and maturer bodies almost tempted him to walk away from the game.
But replicating a custom-made kidney guard worn by Cats’ comeback star Tom Lonergan has breathed new life into Will’s dreams to one day reach the AFL.
His father Mick McGuinness said Lonergan gave his son some reassuring words at a Leopold football clinic towards the end of last year.
The new motivation saw Will take out the club’s under-12 best and fairest award just months later.
“The Tom Lonergan incident certainly drilled home to us that there is no question of Will having a kidney guard made up and he’d be wearing it,” Mr McGuinness said.
“Will certainly did have a lot more interest when Tom got injured, now he’s also lost one kidney.
“So we know someone like that can certainly come back from a significant injury and play.”
Lonergan lost a kidney during a sickening clash backing into a pack mark for Geelong against Melbourne in 2006.
He was rushed to hospital during the game in a critical condition, but returned triumphant to the field 12 months later.
Lonergan urged Will to visit Geelong Orthotics, an industry leader in manufacturing the protective guards, if he wanted to continue to play.
“When you’ve only got one kidney, you could lose your life not having a functioning kidney,” Mr McGuinness said.
“One hit could be absolutely detrimental.
“Even with the one kidney that Tom went through, a significant operation and heartache for a while, it’s not good, but at least he has a kidney.
“The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a situation where you’ve got none left.”
Orthotists moulded the guard from a plaster cast surrounding the kidney.
A belt is strapped around the body likened to a wet suit and the plastic protective guard is inserted into a pocket of the belt.
The Independent witnessed the guard being fitted this week to Will’s body for the first time.
Geelong orthotist Melinda Solly warned a “pretty firm” knock could still put Will at risk.
“The guard will provide some protection, but you can’t guarantee that it will completely protect the kidney,” she said.
“In contact sports, you don’t know what direction the hit will get you.”