Gold Coast is set to monitor the health of a number of players with several undergoing end-of-season surgery.
At least six players have, or will, go under the knife in the coming weeks, in a bid to ensure they are fit to return for what promises to be a club-defining season in 2015.
As confirmed by goldcoastfc.com.au earlier this month, Jaeger O’Meara will fly to Europe to meet with one of the world’s leading specialists and repair the patella tendon in both knees.
While the code’s recently crowed Best Young Player, as voted by at the AFL Coaches Association, is expected to be unavailable for the start of pre-season, head physiotherapist Adam Russell said O’Meara would be cleared to commence his rehab post-surgery.
“Jaeger has been booked in for early November, and will get both knees operated on before coming back to Australia,” Russell said.
“Pleasingly, we envisage he will be able to get straight back into rehab and commence his strength program not long after the operation.”
In further good news, Zac Smith is expected to be available for the start of pre-season training, with the Gold Coast ruckman making strong inroads following a right medial ankle injury.
While many of his teammates have holidayed overseas or returned to their respective home states, Smith has been a regular visitor to the club’s training facilities, with Russell pleased with the gentle giant’s rapid progress.
Meanwhile, Brandon Matera has undergone surgery on his troublesome groin, after an ongoing adductor issue failed to respond to treatment over the regular season.
“Brandon underwent an adductor tenotomy last Thursday, and is progressing well,” Russell said.
“He won’t commence running until closer to our return to pre-season training, but we’re confident he will return fit and ready.”
Luke Russell and Timmy Sumner both underwent successful hip surgery, with the former to begin a graduated-running program in the coming weeks.
A long-term approach will be taken with Aaron Hall, as the Gold Coast speedster recovers from groin surgery.
Gold Coast End of Season Surgery List
Aaron Hall – Groin
Brandon Matera - Groin
Jaeger O’Meara – knees
Luke Russell – Hip
Zac Smith – Ankle
Timmy Sumner – Hip
