Melbourne’s Jake Bowey set for foot surgey, Gold Coast draftee Jai Murray suffers another setback
Melbourne has suffered a major blow after scans revealed a serious injury to important defender Jake Bowey. Plus, a first-round draft pick has suffered another setback.
Important Melbourne rebounder Jake Bowey will miss the opening months of the season as he faces a six-month lay-off due to foot surgery.
The rising defender felt for his foot at a recent training session and scans showed a dreaded lisfranc injury, and following consultations he is set for surgery this week.
Bowey will be ruled out for six months, which could take him out of the first 10 weeks of the 2026 season.
The blow is a big one for new coach Steven King as he works to remake Melbourne’s gamestyle to be more attacking, given Bowey was one of the few weapons the Demons boasted coming out of defence in 2025.
The 23-year-old took a major leap in 2025 and finished fourth in the Melbourne best-and-fairest after averaging 22 disposals per game.
Bowey’s minutes can be immediately covered by recruit Changkuoth Jiath, who crossed from Hawthorn in the trade period to give run to King’s new defence.
The backline is set for a shake up in 2026, with Steven May put on the trade block and not promised his full back spot under King, while back pocket Judd McVee was traded to Fremantle.
Andy Moniz-Wakefield will be another contender for Bowey’s minutes after he missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
King will begin his coaching career without former stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, who were also moved on during the trade period.
Melbourne footy boss Alan Richardson described the injury as “really unfortunate”.
“Jake will have surgery in the coming days to repair the lisfranc injury. We will ensure Jake receives all the support he requires throughout his recovery period,” he said.
“I have no doubt that Jake will attack his recovery with his usual professionalism.”
MORE BAD LUCK FOR SUNS FIRST-ROUNDER
- Callum Dick
Gold Coast first-round draftee Jai Murray has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his fibula in another frustrating injury setback for the Suns Academy graduate.
It is understood the issue was first picked up early in the pre-season with Murray, 18, spotted on crutches during Tuesday morning’s training session at People First Stadium.
The Burleigh Bombers product was selected by the Suns at pick 17 in last month’s national draft – one of five academy products to graduate to the club’s AFL list.
It continues a rotten run of injury luck for the young midfielder, who sat out the bulk of his U18 year with a stress fracture in his foot which was diagnosed in April.
Murray had just gotten back to full fitness before this latest setback.
In better news for the Suns, key defender Charlie Ballard trained fully on Tuesday and should be in the frame to play Opening Round after missing the majority of the 2025 season with an ACL injury.
More Coverage
Originally published as Melbourne’s Jake Bowey set for foot surgey, Gold Coast draftee Jai Murray suffers another setback
Goodwin: Drastic overhauls to become the norm
