logo
Paul Vander Haar: Footy legend who can't walk more than a few metres reveals the bizarre way he keeps breaking his ribs as he opens up about horrible toll the game has taken on him

Paul Vander Haar: Footy legend who can't walk more than a few metres reveals the bizarre way he keeps breaking his ribs as he opens up about horrible toll the game has taken on him

Daily Mail​08-05-2025

Essendon Bombers premiership hero Paul Vander Haar has revealed injuries he suffered during his stellar AFL career have left him a broken man as he opened up about the shocking toll the sport has had on him.
The 67-year-old, celebrated for his courage, high-flying marks and huge contribution to Essendon's 1984 and 1985 premierships, has spoken candidly about his physical and mental struggles since retiring.
Vander Haar, known as The Flying Dutchman during his playing days, suffers from chronic back pain which has left him unable to walk much further than a couple of metres for the last 18 months.
He also suffers from random drops in blood pressure that have seen him black out and collapse - with one of those episodes ending with him waking up in hospital with a broken leg.
'I've had a hip replacement and seven operations on my right knee and it's still not good,' he told News Corp.
'I've had four pass-outs, where I've just been walking along or just sitting down and all of a sudden I just pass out and end up in hospital.
'It's just a loss of blood where your blood pressure drops. I'll just be sitting there and all of a sudden I'll fall off the chair.
'The last one I had, I'd just started walking up the driveway and passed out and broke my femur, the main part of the leg just under the hip. I was on crutches for six or seven months.
'My whole body aches. I wake up every day and it feels like I've played 10 games of footy in a row and I can hardly move.
'I've had a really bad back and I keep breaking ribs just leaning over the cabin of my ute, grabbing my toolbox.
'I'm trying different medications, but just getting sick of going to the hospitals and doctors and getting referrals and all that crap.'
Vander Haar admitted that he is 'struggling' with his mental health too, acknowledging that he received plenty of head trauma during his footy career.
'I had heaps of them (concussions) over the years,' he said.
'I copped plenty, but you kept going not realising what the consequences were.'
The Bombers great also suffers from random drops in blood pressure that have seen him collapse several times
Vander Haar, and two former teammates - Simon Madden and Terry Daniher - are speaking out to back the FifthQtr Foundation, a new not-for-profit group that helps ex footy players.
The footy legend says the AFL Players' Association and AFL needs to step up and do more for players who have retired.
'It's not the money that I'm after, I'm just trying to find somebody who can come up with some solutions,' he said.
'I just want to find a remedy. I'm just getting sick of it.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough suffers back and neck injuries in swimming accident on holiday
Former Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough suffers back and neck injuries in swimming accident on holiday

Daily Record

time9 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Former Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough suffers back and neck injuries in swimming accident on holiday

Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital in Mauritius after an accident on a family holiday Former Motherwell manager and current Partick Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital after suffering major back and neck injuries in a swimming accident. Baraclough, who was in charge of the Steelmen between 2014-15 when they beat Rangers in the Premiership play-off final, was on a family holiday in Mauritius when he suffered serious injuries while swimming and "required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing." ‌ A statement released by Partick Thistle today revealed the 54-year-old ex-Northern Ireland boss will be unable to return to Scotland for several weeks as he recovers in hospital. ‌ And Baraclough praised the surgeons at Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their 'exceptional care' during a harrowing experience for him and his family. The club statement read: "Partick Thistle wish to advise that Sporting Director Ian Baraclough is currently recovering in hospital after suffering extensive back and neck injuries in an accident just over a week ago. "Ian was injured whilst swimming and required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing, and it is expected it will be several weeks before he can return to the country and a further period of recovery will be needed before he is able to return to The Wyre Stadium at Firhill. "The club have been in constant contact with Ian's family since the accident and have now also been able to thankfully speak to Ian. Ian said: 'On behalf of myself, my wife, my children and my wider family I would like to thank the surgeons and staff at the Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their exceptional care.' ‌ 'I would also like to thank Club Chairman Richard Beastall and all of the team at Partick Thistle for their support and well wishes. In my short space of time I have already felt the close bond and drive from staff, players, fans and volunteers that make Thistle what it is.' 'I'm looking forward to returning as quickly as possible and get back to that unique and special feeling that really marks Thistle out as a football club with a passion to be different and an ambition to succeed.' ‌ 'It is one that I am very proud to be a part of.' Club chairman Richard Beastall said: 'It was a harrowing time for Ian and his family immediately after the accident however things are beginning to settle now. He suffered broken bones in both his neck and back but thankfully the speed in which he was operated on, and the care that was taken pre-operation, has helped the situation significantly.' 'Ian has only been at the club for a short time however he has impressed everyone with his professionalism and drive. Everyone at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill wishes Ian a quick and full recovery.' 'We have contingency measures in place to cope with his absence. These include extra duties being carried out by our new Head of Recruitment, Lee Turnbull, who has now officially started, and others at the club. I thank everyone for rallying together.'

Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final

South Wales Argus

time9 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final

The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. Finn Russell was part of the Scotland side edged out 16-15 by England in their Guinness Six Nations match at the Allianz Stadium in February (Adam Davy/PA) 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Finn Russell's built for knockout rugby 💪 14 points scored (the top tally in the Play-Offs) 🫰100% off the tee 🎯2 try assists 🏉#GallagherPremFinal #PremRugbyxeToro @BathRugby — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 9, 2025 Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. An update to your Scotland squad ahead of the Guinness Men's Six Nations. Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland following an injury to Sione Tuipulotu. Scott Cummings will also likely miss the tournament through injury. More ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 20, 2025 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. Johann van Graan's side have already tasted domestic and European success this season (Andrew Matthews/PA) 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.'

Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final

Powys County Times

time10 minutes ago

  • Powys County Times

Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is looking forward to running out at the Allianz Stadium to the roar of Bath's sell-out support rather than with the jeers of England fans ringing in his ears. The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Finn Russell's built for knockout rugby 💪 14 points scored (the top tally in the Play-Offs) 🫰100% off the tee 🎯2 try assists 🏉 #GallagherPremFinal #PremRugbyxeToro @BathRugby — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 9, 2025 Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. An update to your Scotland squad ahead of the Guinness Men's Six Nations. Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland following an injury to Sione Tuipulotu. Scott Cummings will also likely miss the tournament through injury. More ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 20, 2025 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store