North Melbourne has been dealt a devastating pre-season blow, with young gun George Wardlaw to have a lengthy a stint on the sidelines stint due to another hamstring setback.
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Wardlaw had enjoyed a strong pre-season, but on Wednesday was sent for scans following a match simulation session at Arden Street Oval. The Herald Sun reported Wardlaw felt for his hamstring around 30 minutes into training before leaving the field.
North on Thursday confirmed Wardlaw had suffered a high-grade hamstring injury, which would sideline him for 10 to 12 weeks.
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“This is obviously disappointing for George as he has been very diligent with his physical conditioning since he’s been at the club,” Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney said.
“While there are a lot of variables at play with his recovery, George is an extremely diligent and professional athlete and we know he will be ticking every box in his rehabilitation to be back as soon as possible.”
Wardlaw has been restricted to 26 of a possible 46 games since being drafted with Pick 4 in the 2022 national draft.
The 20-year-old has a history with hamstring issues, most notably in his draft year then in his debut AFL season with the Kangaroos.
He also missed consecutive matches last year due to a concussion he suffered at training
Teammate and fellow 2022 draftee Harry Sheezel, who will be vice-captain of the Kangaroos this season, said Wardlaw had “worked so hard to get his body right”.
“I’m shattered for George, I’m not too sure of the extent of it,” he said.
“We’ll see how bad it is but I’m shattered for him and we’ll wrap our arms around him.
“He’s worked so hard on his body the last few years to get it right so if this is a bit of a setback it will be hard for him.
“He was so fit and firing and ready to go and hopefully he will still be able to show that this year.”
Wardlaw has thrived in pre-season with the arrival of experienced stars Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel, with expectations of going to another level in 2025.
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King simply wrote on X: “Why is it always George…..bloody hell.”
DEES DUO THRIVING
Meanwhile, King on Wednesday was watching the Demons train at Gosch’s Paddock.
There’s been ample hype surrounding their trio of 2024 national draftees — Harvey Langford (Pick 6), Xavier Lindsay (Pick 9) and Aidan Johnson (Pick 68) — over the summer.
And King indicated the hype was justified.
“Very impressed with the elite newbies in Langford & Lindsay. Ready to roll – Harvey in particular,” King wrote on X.
“Aidan Johnson play angry.”
King also said Jacob van Rooyen “looks in for a big year”, adding the key forward seemed primed to kick more goals in 2025 than his haul of 30 last year.
INJURY SCARES AT PIES, EAGLES
Wardlaw wasn’t the only AFL player to have an injury scare on Wednesday.
At Collingwood, star on-baller Jordan De Goey was sent for scans on his calf, per the Herald Sun, after leaving Magpies training early.
But the Pies told the Herald Sun De Goey’s departure from the track was precautionary, with scans quickly ruling out any serious injury.
Meanwhile in the west, star Eagles recruit Liam Baker was taken from the field after appearing to injure his ankle during match simulation.
Multiple Perth-based reporters spotted Baker limping from the ground after landing awkwardly from a marking contest.
Baker then had ice applied to his right ankle.
Baker last year was central to a three-way trade between Carlton, Richmond and West Coast, which saw the dual premiership Tiger land at West Coast alongside ex-Blue Matt Owies.
It comes days after Eagles star Elliot Yeo sustained MCL and syndesmosis injuries, putting him in doubt for Round 1.
MORE TO COME