Gold Coast SUNS excitement machine Jack Martin faces another month on the sidelines after he strained his hamstring in the opening minute of the game against Hawthorn in Tasmania on the weekend.
 
The lively half-forward was only 50 seconds into his comeback game from an ankle injury when he suffered the grade two strain which brings his stop-start season to another sudden halt.
 
Another casualty of the game against the Hawks was utility Alex Sexton, who played out the contest despite straining his hip flexor in the opening half. The Queensland product has been one of Gold Coast’s most valuable players this season, but is now set to spend at least the next fortnight on the sidelines.
 
“’Secko’ had a hip flexor strain throughout the game. He felt it on an acceleration in the second quarter. He managed to play on which was good for him, but he was handicapped in the second half,” GC SUNS head physiotherapist Adam Russell told SUNS TV on Tuesday evening.
 
“We’ve scanned it early in the week, and he’s got a grade two hip flexor strain and is looking at missing probably two-to-three weeks at this stage.”
 
Captain Gary Ablett continues to be the subject of widespread media speculation regarding his long awaited return from complications with his shoulder.
 
The dual Brownlow medallist has increased his exposure to contact work in the last week, but Russell says the medical team and Ablett will be making a decision based around the long-term health of his shoulder and won’t be rushing the champion back into Rodney Eade’s side.
 
 “Gary started some contact progressions last week. His range of motion and strength’s improving each week so that’s a positive,” Russell said.
 
“He’s still got a few things to tick off so he’s still got a fair bit of work to do with his contact progressions before he can be cleared medically.
 
“Obviously the long-term health of his shoulder is pretty important to us. We want to make sure once he gets back on the field he stays there without any long-term implications for his shoulder.”