LARS looms as Morabito lifeline

COMEBACK: Anthony Morabito is set to turn to LARS surgery to continue his AFL career. Picture: FOX SPORTS Source: Supplied

ANTHONY Morabito will attempt an AFL comeback from his third serious knee injury and has already spoken to LARS surgery pioneers Nick Malceski and Luke Webster about the merits of the controversial procedure.

While medical opinion will ultimately inform Morabito's surgery decision, the 21-year-old could make a stunning return to football in the middle of this season if he was to successfully have surgery using a synthetic ligament.

Morabito, who has laid low with family and friends since Wednesday's training incident, is understood to have no thoughts of retirement and is eagerly examining the range of treatment options available to him.

He will meet with his manager Colin Young and Fremantle staff on Thursday or Friday to discuss his future.

Sydney Grand Final hero Malceski became the first AFL player to have LARS surgery in 2008 and despite needing a repeat procedure in 2011 is a big supporter of it.

Former Docker Webster opted for LARS surgery when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament for the third time in 2008.

It is the same situation Morabito is now in, although he is five years younger.

Webster has advised Morabito to strongly consider undergoing LARS surgery and believes the rapid recovery time could give him a huge injection of confidence.

The former East Perth and State captain returned to the WAFL just 91 days after his LARS operation, his fourth knee reconstruction overall.

"When they explain to you the way it all works and how potentially you could come back quicker, it does feel a bit surreal and a bit of a miracle," Webster said.

"But once you get up and going, you can actually understand the process behind it.

"I said to him you've just got to think about whether you want to get back and play this year, or you can miss another 10-12 months and still be right and ready to go."

Webster did not add to his 33 AFL games following his LARS surgery, but said the knee cartilage issues he suffered had nothing to do with his ACL or the LARS surgery.

"I played the next two years at WAFL level and I played almost every game in '09 and played every game in 2010," he said. "I know it's a lesser standard, but it still held up playing senior footy."

LARS surgery is viewed with suspicion in some quarters, partly because little is known about its long-term effects.

Five years after his operation, Webster said he was active and pain free.

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