“The Bye Round has come at a really good for them, and they’re certainly in a good place as we lead into our Round 14 match against Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium,” rehabilitation coach Max Kennedy told goldcoastfc.com.au
Bennell, who has battled a niggling hamstring injury for the past month and a half has worked tirelessly to ensure he is able to have an immediate impact if given the green light to resume playing by High Performance Manager Stephen Schwerdt and his sports science team.
“Harley is in pretty good shape and trained at his best yesterday morning,” Kennedy said.
“He still has to tick a few boxes with the high performance team, but I think he’ll be in a good position to play Adelaide next week.”
The 22-year-old Dixon was a significant withdraw against Essendon at Etihad Stadium last week after sustaining an ankle injury in the final term of the side’s Round 13 match against North Melbourne.
The 200cm North Queenslander returned home to Cairns this week for a short break and is recovering well according to Kennedy.
“Dixon is tracking along nicely and is set to be assessed by our club medicos next week,” said Kennedy.
“Hopefully he’ll then regain his training with the main group and then be in a position to come up in a week or two.”
And after a nightmarish start to his debut season in which he missed the first six rounds to a broken wrist, Lonergan looks stronger than ever as he strives to build on his four AFL appearances in 2013.
“Given he’s only 18-years-old we have had to manage Jesse, but similar to Harley, he’s been tracking really good as well,” said Kennedy.
“If he continues to train the way he is, he shouldn’t be too far away.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Warnock remains on schedule to return from his long-term injury (broken arm), and is likely to join fellow defenders Nathan Bock and Seb Tape in Shaun Harts NEAFL team when squad returns from their mid-season break.
