Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Dion Prestia has undergone surgery on Tuesday to repair the torn lateral meniscus in his left knee that he injured against Collingwood on Saturday night.
As was reported on Monday, the injury curse at Metricon Stadium has continued to penetrate the club; with Prestia joining a long and distinguished casualty ward that has now sidelined four of the top five place getters in last year’s best and fairest count.
“Dion Prestia unfortunately injured his lateral meniscus on the weekend, which is devastating news for us as a footy club and for Dion himself,” GC SUNS High Performance Manager Matthew Kennedy told SUNS TV.
“He’ll probably miss 12-16 weeks which is his season over. Another huge loss for us, one of our elite midfielders.”
Rebounding defender Trent McKenzie copped a big hit on his hip against the Magpies but despite being sore won’t miss the SUNS' trip to Tasmania this weekend to face Hawthorn.
“Trent McKenzie is a bit sore on his hip pointer, he got a direct blow to that hip area, obviously very sore but he’ll be okay for the main training session on Thursday, and he’ll play against the Hawks on the weekend,” Kennedy said.
In more positive news, exciting youngster Jack Martin is set to return from an ankle injury this weekend after getting through the last couple of training sessions strongly.
“Jack Martin has trained really strongly this week. He did a good session on Saturday, a football conditioning session,” Kennedy said.
“He trained again today and did some more dynamic movement, some agility work and looked not out of place at all. We’re expecting he’ll train fully Thursday and be up for selection for the weekend.”
With so many midfielders now on the sidelines, the impending return of David Swallow is important. Last year’s club champion is edging closer to a return to the full fitness, ramping up his rehabilitation from a PCL injury.
“Dave Swallow’s out of his brace which is good news for him. He’s started some resistance work in the gym on his lower body, some body weight activities in there,” Kennedy said.
“Dave comes to water really quickly, he’s an unbelievable athlete. We would think in the next week or so he’ll start his running program so shouldn’t be too far away.”
Optomo Injury Report: Round Nine
Dion Prestia's season is over following a knee injury, but Jack Martin is expected to return this weekend.
