This thread is to discuss injuries to players for the 2019 season. Hopefully we have some better luck than the previous few seasons.
Post all known injuries and news.
Note: Mods, please pin thread.
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This thread is to discuss injuries to players for the 2019 season. Hopefully we have some better luck than the previous few seasons.
Post all known injuries and news.
Note: Mods, please pin thread.
Not much news has come out over summer.
JJ had hip surgery and is now recovering.
Good news so far, can we skip the preseason competition?
Smith Achilles report:
Quote:
Smith edging closer to full fitness
Western Bulldogs draftee Bailey Smith is hopeful a long stint on the sidelines with Achilles issues won't hinder his chances for an early season AFL debut.
The midfielder was selected at pick No.7 last year by the Dogs despite missing the end part of the season with Achilles issues.
The injury also saw him ruled out for the NAB AFL Draft Combine and has meant the former Sandringham Dragon has had to watch most of the Dogs' pre-season from the sidelines.
Smith, who turned 18 in December, said it had been a challenge to observe since arriving at Whitten Oval.
"Towards the end of the month or in early February I'll be in full training. It's frustrating. It's been a pain and been pretty lonely at times doing my rehab," Smith told AFL.com.au.
"Not a lot of the boys are in the rehab group so I've been doing a bit here and there by myself, but I just can't wait to get out onto the track.”
Smith is intent on making sure he is ready to go when that time comes. Bike and swimming sessions away from the main group have him fit and fresh, and says his aim remains to don the Dogs' colours early in the season.
The Dogs will face Sydney at Marvel Stadium in round one, after JLT Community Series clashes against Gold Coast and St Kilda. Link
Update on Webb
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DxEj6PpUYAEeu7Y.jpg
Webb cleared to return
Western Bulldogs midfielder Lukas Webb has been given the all-clear following a neck injury he sustained last year.
Webb was placed in a brace after he sustained a compression injury in his neck while playing in the VFL in July last year.
Scans last week revealed the injury had fully healed, paving the way for him to step up his training in preparation for the 2019 season.
“It’s really exciting for Lukas, after being in the hard collar for the last six months,” said Bulldogs’ Medical Services Manager Chris Bell.
“Now we’re able to put a plan around his return to football, and at this stage it looks like that’ll happen in the next six to eight weeks.”
The Bulldogs will take a more conservative approach with Tom Boyd, as he continues his recovery from a back injury.
“Tom has continued to suffer some lower back symptoms from the injury that ended his 2018 season,” Bell said.
“He’s got some really good continuity in his running under his belts, but he’s unable to return back to footy loads.
“We’re going to be really conservative with our management of Tom and respect his symptoms, and we’re just going to progress him when we’re able to.”
The Dogs’ top pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, Bailey Smith, is almost ready to integrate into the full training group, after spending the first few months of his AFL journey in the rehab group.
“In his 2018 TAC Cup year Bailey had a really chronic achilles tendon injury,” Bell said.
“Since coming into our program he’s been in rehab, but he’s progressed really well and has been very diligent with his program.
“At this stage he’s reintegrating back into our full squad, and we’ll see him in full training in the next week or two.”
So, Boyd's back injury dates back to at least early July meaning it's been over 6months now and he's still unable to do much more than basic running. Obviously the break from after Rd 18 to the end of the off season (4mths) wasn't enough to fix the problem. Doesn't bode well for his chances of being able to play freely any time soon.
Having known this was a possibility prior to the end of last season, I am very surprised we did not use the ensuing trade & FA period to address this risk.
With English, Trengove and Schache all having had injuries throughout the course of last year (in addition to Boyd's issues) it doesn't look like the most injury resilient ruck corp. What are the odds they all stay healthy this season?
It all points to the untried Sweet a distinct chance to see game time at some stage.
I hope this doesn't come back to bite us.
As for Tom's future, I really hope this doesn't cruel his 2019, but it doesn't look good. It will further place pressure and scrutiny on him going forward.
It was always going to happen wasn't it.
Backs however are very difficult to troubleshoot. Can be so many factors.
It's concerning that Bailey Smith's achilles is classified as chronic. I'm not medical but chronic sounds serious. Googled it and treatment has 25% failure. I'm sure club has done due diligence but I'll be thrilled when he gets the all clear with no more implications.
.
http://www.opnews.com/2015/12/treatm...orders-2/11808
Hope he doesn't have a painful fusiform or a Haglunds deformity!
There are injuries and what I call 'injuries or 'on-going injuries'. The latter are by far more troubling because they stop a player getting a run at it. Accumulated match fitness is a precious thing. It does wonders for a players confidence. The news about Tom Boyd's back is not good
It's only January and we're looking at Boyd missing a big chunk of the season. I heard could miss Round 1 yesterday so judging by how we assess injuries he'll miss most of the season if not all of it.
Ongoing back issue puts big Dog in R1 doubt
A LINGERING back complaint continues to hamper Western Bulldog Tom Boyd's pre-season, placing his start to the season in doubt.
Boyd has failed to train alongside teammates in the main group over the past two days as he works through symptoms from the injury that ended his 2018 campaign after round 18.
The 23-year-old, who is preparing to enter his fifth year of a multi-million dollar, seven-year deal at Whitten Oval, has been confined to his own individual running program.
Combined with light duties during last week's training camp in Mooloolaba, Boyd's lack of high-intensity conditioning has put his hopes for round one action in jeopardy.
Premiership teammate Liam Picken remains on restricted contested duties, despite completing a large bulk of ball work with teammates on Tuesday.
Picken hopes to play again for the first time since suffering a nasty concussion in last year's JLT Community Series that ruled him out for the entire season.
Exciting draftee Bailey Smith has increased his training output after a modified start to the summer coming off an Achilles concern.
Smith will be hoping to form a midfield partnership with Tom Liberatore, who is on track for round one after a month of full training.
Lukas Webb, who last month trained for the first time without his neck brace since July, also trained strongly on Tuesday.
Picken apparently still experiencing bad headaches.
My Prediction - may pull the pin.
Liam Picken’s future cloudy with Western Bulldog still suffering from headaches
The future of Western Bulldogs forward Liam Picken remains unclear, with the premiership player revealing he is still experiencing headaches more than 11 months on from his most recent concussion.
Picken has not played since being knocked out in a marking contest during a pre-season match against Hawthorn on March 3 last year and is still yet to take part in full training.
The 32-year-old told the Herald Sun yesterday the debilitating headaches were yet to go away and would not say whether he expected to return to the field this year, only that he had his “fingers crossed”.
“I’m hoping to get better and then all things to fall into place,” Picken said.
“I’m still getting headaches. That’s the main issue, so I’ve got to work through them and just continue get better and get rid of the headaches.
“I’m still on the sidelines (for training) just trying to work through that and I’ll be guided by the medical experts and just follow their advice.”
Asked if the headaches had improved in recent months, Picken said “I don’t want to get into the technicalities, I just want to focus on getting better”.
Picken, who attended the Bulldogs’ training camp on the Sunshine Coast last month, said he had enjoyed what training he had been able to complete and there was a good vibe around the club that the side could bounce back after finishing 13th last year.
“It’s been really enjoyable to do pre-season and have a bit of fun with the boys and that,” he said.
“Training’s been really good and everyone’s really positive. We’ve got a lot of new guys and I think everyone’s really hopeful for the year ahead. It’s exciting.”
Picken, who helped launch the Premier’s Active April alongside wife Annie Nolan and son Malachy today, said his family had been key in helping him through his difficult time.
The couple also have two other children, five-year-old twins Delphi and Cheska.
“Annie and the family’s been so good,” Picken said.
“It’s always good to get home from training and have a bit of fun as a family. I think the support of your family is always key.”
Picken, who has played 198 AFL games, is out of contract at the end of this year.
The Bulldogs meet Gold Coast Suns in their first pre-season match in Mackay on March 3.
Liam has a tough decision, he obviously wants to get back on the field again but he must also think about his health long term. I would love to see him back in this years GF replicating his two last quarter goals of the 2016 GF. I’ve watched that last quarter countless times and his 2 goals still make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Honestly, enough.
I get indulging the ambitions of a club champ who's as determined as they come but if a year on he continues to suffer symptoms and can't adequately train as a result, truly what else is there to consider?
Find him an offseason role to remain involved if that's what he wants and let him plan for the rest of his life.
Liam, with continuing headaches after a year, it's a no brainer.
A forever memory will be you suspended in space taking that grab on the way down when the Premiership was one the line. You more.than any expressed the Bulldog spirit.
JJ injured
NORM Smith medallist and Western Bulldogs dasher Jason Johannisen will be out of training indefinitely as he deals with an ankle injury sustained at training on Friday morning.
Johannisen, 26, was hurt in a tackle at Whitten Oval.
The club said in a statement it doesn't know how long he will be out for and plan on releasing a more accurate timeline in the coming days.
Johannisen was declared best on ground in the 2016 Grand Final win over Sydeny.
He lined up in every match last season and is a member of the Dogs' leadership group.
Saying it’s a syndesmosis injury. Imagine we won’t see him till after Easter if that’s the case .
Step up Richards. Although JJ gets a lot of metres gained and can look quite brilliant he does have a tendency to turn the ball over and undo his good work.
I want JJ in the side but we do have some options to cover.
So you only have Ed playing half the season up forward? :)
Even with the injury to JJ we have Duryea, Crozier and Suckling then maybe Williams, Lipinski, Dale, Daniel, Lynch and even Bailey Smith.
If we have to cop and injury then the mid or smaller defensive players is where we are particularly solid with our depth.
This is your moment Bailey Williams
Very frustrating JJ will be out for a bit. Important player. It gives others the opportunity to step up in his role.
Just noticed the injury news re: JJ. That's some tough luck for him. He can be a very important player for us. I hope it ends up a catalyst for someone else to use their pace to run the footy through the lines and kick long into the forward line.