In a significant blow to Adelaide's AFL pre-season preparations, midfielder Jake Soligo has been ruled out of the Crows' upcoming match against Fremantle due to an irregular heartbeat. The club disclosed on Wednesday that Soligo, aged 23, has been undergoing managed training for several weeks to address this concerning condition.
Soligo's Health Management and Recovery Timeline
Soligo will not participate in Saturday night's game at Mandurah, located south of Perth, but the Crows are optimistic about his return to training next week. The club has emphasised that it is collaborating closely with its own experienced medical team as well as external specialists to ensure the best possible management of Soligo's recovery process.
Collingwood's Injury Concerns Deepen
Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed on Wednesday that captain Darcy Moore and key position player Jeremy Howe are likely to be sidelined for their Opening Round clash against St Kilda. Both veterans are grappling with calf muscle injuries, which have proven to be recurring issues.
McRae stated to SEN, 'They're both unlikely to play early in 'round zero', but they're maybe touch and go for a little bit after that. They're both progressing well, but they've just had recurring calf injuries, which is part of our learning around their bodies. They won't play early in the season.'
Uncertainty Surrounds Bobby Hill's Return
Adding to Collingwood's woes, the return timeline for Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill remains unclear as he continues to deal with personal matters. McRae commented, 'Bobby is working on himself at the moment. We're hoping that he'll be in the program in the short or medium term. It's probably a bit too early to say when Hill will be back, but we're confident that it's progressing.'
Other AFL Teams Face Pre-Season Setbacks
In further pre-season disruptions, Hawthorn key defender Tom Barrass will miss Friday night's game against the Western Bulldogs due to a sore back, just ahead of their Opening Round match against GWS the following weekend. On a more positive note, the AFL website reported that Jack Ginnivan is set to return from a finger injury to play against the Bulldogs.
These health and injury issues highlight the physical and personal challenges facing AFL players as they gear up for the new season, with clubs navigating complex recovery protocols and uncertain timelines for key personnel.
