Update on injuries: A number of players have off-season surgery
Todd Marshall and Trent McKenzie, two key position players for Port Adelaide, are among the players who will be undergoing post-operative rehabilitation during the off-season following surgery.
Two weeks ago, Marshall had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip. He is anticipated to begin full training after Christmas and will be monitored during the early preseason.
Because McKenzie had surgery on his right ankle, he will probably gradually resume running before his anticipated return for preseason training in early December.
Ryan Burton, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jeremy Finlayson, and Scott Lycett have all sustained minor knee clean-outs, as is typical for some AFL players during the off-season.
By the end of this month, Tom McCallum should be back on the field after arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and Sam Hayes should have his left AC joint fixed.
In other good news, Josh Sinn is doing well four weeks after his previously reported hamstring surgery, and both Tom Clurey and Mitch Georgiades are running well following long-term back and knee injuries, respectively.
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Injury update: Dixon is aiming to return for the semifinals
For Port Adelaide’s Semi-Final matchup against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, Charlie Dixon might make a comeback to the starting lineup.
The big forward has been sidelined since the Round 20 Showdown due to a foot injury, but he has resumed running without any pain and will return to training in the near future to ensure he is available for selection.
Despite sustaining separate hamstring and ankle injuries in Brisbane over the weekend, defensive end Trent McKenzie and Dylan Williams may also be considered to play against the Giants.
In the third quarter at the Gabba, McKenzie sprained his right ankle. However, the 31-year-old’s condition will be monitored throughout the week in the hopes that he can return to action on Saturday night.
Williams’s scans revealed no significant muscle injuries, but he will still have to demonstrate his fitness before being chosen.
Moving forward Ruck Dante Visentini may be ready to return from a quad injury, while Todd Marshall will continue to manage hip soreness but should be available
CONTUNE
When the older Burgoyne took to the dais to accept his AFL premiership medal in 2004, he had number seven emblazoned on his back. Jase, then 14 months old, was watching the action at the MCG from his father’s arms.
Notable athletes who have worn the number seven include the late great Russell Ebert, six-time premiership player Roger Delaney, and Magarey Medal winner Sampson “Shine” Hosking.
Will Lorenz, an incoming draftee who joined the team last week from the Oakleigh Chargers, will take up Burgoyne’s vacant number 36.
Ivan Soldo (13), Jordon Sweet (24), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (25) and Esava Ratugolea (27), as well as other draftees Tom Anastasopoulos (29), Lachie Charleson (26) and Xavier Walsh (45), received their first guernseys at Albertonm.
In the meantime, Quinton Narkle, the mid-season draft pick from the previous season, will move up the benches in the recently renovated Alberton locker rooms, going from guernsey 47 to 42. The 42 has not been seen at the AFL level since 2019, when it was put aside for the now-retired captain Tom Jonas as he assumed the number one jumper.
In 2024, number 35 is still kept in remembrance of the late John McCarthy, while number 43 is still unclaimed. Due to Jonas’ retirement, the number one jumper will be owned by a different player in the upcoming season, meaning that player’s current number will remain unclaimed for the duration of their captaincy.
Players in the Premier League: Bruce Nyland, Lew Roberts, John W. Robertson, Kevin Salvemini, Mark Tylor, Ivor Dangerfield, James W. Doyle, Allen Greer, Tony Hannan, Frederick G.L. Galliford, Anthony Martyn, Brian Beinke, and Bruce Nyland
Players in the Premier League: Norman Wilkins, Geoff Phelps, Kevin Salmon, Laurence Stevens, Maxwell G. Carmichael, Domenic Cassisi, Wallace Dittmar, Paul Evans, Danny Hughes, Russell Johnston, Thomas Kellaway, Alan J. Maynard, Peter Mead, Peter Obst, Troy Olsen, Geoff Phelps, and Norman Wilkins
