A devastating Boxing Day incident may have rocked Eira Dalzell and her family, but her recovery has been given a boost through a connection with a Crows leader.

After an early morning water ski with her family, the young Riverland football player had four of her fingers severed by the propeller on the family boat.

She was flown to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and underwent emergency surgery where doctors were able to successfully reattach three of her fingers.

Touched by her story, AFLW Captain Chelsea and coach Matthew Clarke sent Eira a signed AFLW guernsey and recorded videos encouraging her on her rehabilitation

These were shared with Eira in front of family and friends at her 13^th birthday celebration in Loxton.

The surprises continued, when Eira was invited to present the game ball at the Crows Round Six clash against the Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval.

Her mother Claire said meeting Randall in person at the game was a highlight of their day.

“Meeting Chelsea was magical,” Claire said.

“She spoke to Eira about her knee reconstruction and how hard rehab was, but that you can come back from injury and succeed and how much she loved football.

“Eira has 10% of movement in two fingers and 20 in the other, and needs to exercise them 15 times a day which can be frustrating as it is such a slow process.

“Some days, it has been a battle to get her motivated, but on the way home, Eira was doing her hand therapy and talking about getting back out there and how your sporting life is not over just because of injury.

“It was just really blown away because these are the type of people Eira looks up to and are her role models and to think they would make the time for her and inspire her means so much.”

Despite being unable to play this season, Eira is excited to stay involved with Loxton North Football Club, running water and take more of an active coaching role, and hoping to play again in 2023.

But for now, Eira is focusing on her rehab and still glowing from meeting her heroes.

“Seeing them all run on together, it made me feel so happy,” Eira said.

“Thank you for everything.”