Young midfielders Xavier O’Neill and Zane Trew will lead the next wave of players looking for senior opportunities after making strong recoveries from knee injuries.
While a number of senior players have been pencilled in for a return against Geelong on Saturday – including star midfielder Dom Sheed, lively forwards Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli, combative midfielder Elliot Yeo and half-forward Jack Petruccelle – O’Neill and Trew have joined the queue.
O’Neill has not played since the round seven loss against Richmond when subbed out of the contest in the last quarter having dealt with both COVID and a knee injury but looked to be moving freely in training today.
The same could be said of Trew who has missed the last couple of WAFL games with a knee complaint and is on track to resume in Saturday’s curtain raiser against Subiaco at Optus Stadium.
There was further encouragement on the track through the efforts of star ruckman Nic Naitanui, who continues to build his workload and moved well in training. He is now just two to three weeks away from resuming, having last played in the club’s only win in round four against Collingwood.
Tom Joyce, a supplementary selection period player who has not yet taken the field in blue and gold can also see the rehabilitation finish line and is listed for a 3-4 week return with Zac Langdon.
Ruckman-forward Hugh Dixon will miss another week with a minor calf strain while premiership defender Tom Cole made further strides towards playing football this season.
Cole was placed on the inactive list after a serious pre-season ankle injury but looked in good shape when running laps at Mineral Resources Park today. While no time has been placed on a possible return, he looks in good fettle.
Injury list:
Oscar Allen Foot Inactive
Campbell Chesser Ankle Inactive
Tom Cole Ankle Inactive
Luke Edwards Groin Inactive
Jamaine Jones Concussion Test
Tom Joyce Ankle 3-4 weeks
Zac Langdon Ankle 3-4 weeks
Jeremy McGovern Back Test
Xavier O’Neill Knee 1 Week
Nic Naitanui Knee 2-3 weeks
Zane Trew Knee Test
Hugh Dixon Calf 1 Week
