Medical imaging has revealed the Southern Steel goal shoot suffered a rupture to her ACL, and an associated fracture, during the team’s pre-season encounter against the Swifts in Invercargill on Sunday.
It was a devastating blow for Fisher who had her sights set on ANZ Premiership glory and potentially a World Cup campaign with the England Roses later this year.
"It’s very tough news. It is going to be hard but I’m just taking it one day at a time and seeing how my body deals with everything," Fisher said.
"This is my first major injury. I have had little niggles here and there but nothing like this. The reality is when you play sport you always know that injury is a very present risk.
"Right now my main focus is just walking again. I will be setting small goals along the line that are maintainable and achievable."
Fisher was confident her Steel team-mates would deliver strong results.
"I have full faith in my team and know they will be amazing.
"I'm just gutted I won’t be able to play alongside of them this year. Unfortunately for them, I'll still be there cheering along."
Coach Reinga Bloxham said the team was hurting for Fisher.
"Her team-mates can feel her loss.
"I think when George went down their season flashed before their eyes because they could see the potential we've been putting out on court as a team," Bloxham said.
"In some ways it does seem harder to accept at this stage of the season because you're just getting started. On the flip side of that, from a timing perspective she has a whole year to recover for next season."
The hunt for a replacement shooter now begins.
"It’s always a net that we cast wide. We've got options locally and nationally and were going to make sure we do our homework around that.
"We know who is coming through our own pathways in the south and it was great to see our training partner Jess Allan definitely put her hand up at the weekend.
"We’ve still got the rest of the pre-season to integrate a replacement into the team and we will be working hard to do that over the next few weeks."
