Football star Chad Wingard makes huge announcement about his love life after considering retirement

Just eight months ago, Chad Wingard’s career was in jeopardy. Today, thanks to the support of his beloved partner, he has a new contract, is set to return to the AFL and is engaged.

The injured Hawthorn star announced on social media on Friday that his long-term partner Lily Lloyd had “said yes” when he romantically proposed to her at a Victorian winery among the vineyards.

Fellow Hawk Jarman Impey posted: “Congratulations!!! Sending our love’

Hawthorn teammates Shaun Burgoyne, Connor MacDonald and Nick Watson also wished the pair well as well as a host of AFL stars from other clubs.

The couple showed their supporters Wingard’s ring and tattoo in honor of Lilly Lloyd.

Wingard thanked Lilly Lloyd for giving him strength in his recovery from a serious leg injury.

Wingard is currently sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon last August and is eyeing a return to the Hawks in May.

It was initially thought that star Hawk could be out for up to 12 months, leading the club to temporarily write off the half-forward to manage their squad for 2024.

It was one of the most pivotal moments of the Hawks star’s career and when he was awarded a new contract for 2024, he thanked Lilly Lloyd for her support.

“(She) helped me get through it,” he said.

“She played a pivotal role in the first two to six weeks.

“I had a cast and had to elevate my leg 20 hours a day for almost two weeks.

“I didn’t really know how to cook, I was on two crutches and in a cast.

“If I didn’t have someone to help me… just to say ‘it’s going to be okay, here are the steps we’re going to take, we’re going to come back,’ I don’t know what I would have done.”

Wingard has been out since August with an Achilles injury that threatens to end his AFL career.

The Hawks half-forward is back in training and eyes a May return to VFL footy

The club’s medical staff now estimate he will return for round six or seven of the VFL season in the first half of May.

Wingard will then need to impress coach Sam Mitchell to force his way into the Hawks’ new forward line.

It was a terrifying injury for the Hawthorn star who admitted this season he thought retirement might have been his only option.

“As soon as the injury happened, my first thought was ‘this could be it’,” he said.

“I didn’t want my last moment in the AFL to be an injury five minutes into a game.”

However, Hawthorn head of football Robert McCartney quickly assured Wingard he would return.

“Rob, the general manager of the Hawks, told me right after, ‘Dude, we’re going to take care of you,'” Wingard said.

“It was pretty powerful, when you think it could be nine months, 12 months before I could play again.”