No mention of B-S-D, however, he has been notably absent from main training for several weeks , right ?
His fluff piece had no hint of a problem, but who knows when it was written.
The Herald Sun posted an article about 5 hours ago with the headline ‘Key Dons injuries sour Heppell’s Rnd 1 return’, but it’s behind the paywall. Is there anything interesting in it or is it stuff we already know?
Just Stringer and Hurley
AFL injury news: Dyson Heppell set for round 1; Hurley, Stringer racing clock
Essendon captain Dyson Heppell is a certain starter for Round 1 in a new half back role that will help lessen the strain on his troublesome foot.
But All Australian defender Michael Hurley remains bed-ridden with a lingering leg infection and seems a distant prospect of playing in the season opener against Hawthorn.
Hurley and Jake Stringer (achilles) would both need to make dramatic recoveries five weeks out from Round 1 in an Essendon side that will give opportunities to its bunch of young kids.
Stringer has managed his achilles over summer and after pulling up sore in match simulation the club has made the decision that he will commit to a period of strengthening the area instead of continuing full training.
Essendon’s forward line will be built around ex-Suns forward Peter Wright and a group of mid-sized and small forwards, with Cale Hooker, James Stewart and Jayden Laverde playing back.
Heppell has had multiple rounds of surgery on his foot and ankle but after having a pin removed from his ankle in September Dons football boss Josh Mahoney told the Herald Sun he was perfectly placed for Round 1.
“Dyson has been managed really well by the medical and high performance team he’s now essentially in full training. He is expecting to play the pre-season games and he’s playing a new role off half back. He gives the defensive some real experience which is important,” he said.
“It was a good decision to get a procedure done at the end of the season and he’s looking forward to getting out there as captain. It’s a decision based on him adding some experience to the defence but also the physical requirements of that role versus the midfield.”
Hurley’s lack of progress is a clear concern given he spent a week in hospital but after being discharged last Sunday is still attempting to shrug off the infection.
“He has a leg infection which is being treated through antibiotics. His recovery time frame is based on how quickly he recovers. It’s a bit of an unknown at this stage. The more time he misses with training and the restrictions of being bed-ridden is going to impact his return. It’s just important to get on top of it and once he gets to that stage we can think about timelines.”
Essendon is determined to get Stringer back to full fitness rather than limping through his achilles issues after he battled when returning from a syndesmosis strain last year.
“He’s on an achilles program to strengthen that area. After that he will continue to build his loads. It’s important for Jake that we set him up for success this year, so that’s what we are doing.”
David Zaharakis (PCL surgery) is building his loads after also recovering from a quad tendon strain and while he is making progress the club says only that he will be back in the early rounds of the year.
The club’s decision to replenish its key position stocks and secure a trio of young draftees in Nik Cox (pick 8), Archie Perkins (pick 9), and Zach Reid (pick 10) means the Dons are keen to play emerging talent if they are good enough.
“At this stage we want to pick the best teams we can for both games against Carlton and Geelong. We think it’s really important to build the cohesion of the group. But if opportunities come up for young guys including those first year players, then they just have to take those opportunities.”
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There is no way Hurls will be ready round 1. Perhaps round 3 or 4.
Achilles are slow healing, I expect to see Jake round 4 or 5, by the time it gets stronger, he works on his fitness and touch.
Essington.
Hurley in doubt round 1, stringer too, achilles can be managed, so maybe he is still a chance, but depending on severity could be missing some games too, im not putting a line through him yet, we dont know the full extent of the injury.
I wouldn’t be racing anyone back from injury at any time this year.
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The fact that Stringer’s achilles injury sounds like it is chronic, rather than something he has done recently, probably accounts for his poor form when he came back last year.
No need to rush anyone back
The club seems to be much more conservative with injury management this preseason which is a good sign.
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That’s all well and good but once again we have key players with intrupted pre seasons due to injuries.
I long for the day when we have a full list to chose from and no players in bloody rehab or injured during the pre season
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Part of the process is implementing good practices. Previously the club would have had players training and playing through injury believing a hampered senior players is a better option than playing a kid.
On face value it looks like they are being conservative and building their loads before throwing them back in.
Yes, in the short term it may not look good but long term we may see our players on the field more and also prolong their careers.
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Well, that’s a first.
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With less than 5 weeks to Round 1, an attempt to summarise the current injuries.
Mozzie- season
Zaharakis- rehab after PCL
Hurley - infected leg - bedridden
Stringer - resting Achilles injury
Ambrose- still rehabbing
Johnson- yet to join main training after injury
McBride - yet to join main training- unknown reason
Draper - rumoured minor leg injury/ resting for the last week and a half
And the kids;
Eyre - more in modified group than not
Perkins- resumed training ( for 1st year category of training)
Reid - main training with frequent spells
Brand - main training with frequent spells
Cox - training ( for 1st year category of training)
Hird - resumed training
I think that’s about it
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Nice work, however I don’t think is fair to include the first year players as injured as they are on modified programs like most first year players at all clubs.
Johnson is back full training. McBride is just getting up to speed after not joining training until mid Jan after coming back from Ireland.
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Unfortunately Nino that is not realistic - training with intensity at an increasing rate will always result in some injuries. In addition you will also have the carry over recovery from the previous season.
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Stringer & Draper are big concerns. They’re almost the difference in us being at least competitive in games and not at all.
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Has the surface at Tullamarine got anything to do with these recurring injuries I wonder?
Its a big worry.
Is Johnson back full training?
And I included the kids because they often feature in training reports as being in modified groups or rested.
This was an attempt to overview who’s doing a full first year program & who has had a few niggles along the way.
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Yep Johnson completed the full session last Thursday.
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