Injured Brisbane Lions star Keidean Coleman finding positives in ACL recovery

Emerging Brisbane Lions star Keidean Coleman reveals the players who are guiding him through his recovery after suffering a season-ending ACL injury.

Keidean Coleman of the Lions is assisted by trainers during the 2024 AFL Opening Round match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues. Photo: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

After a statement finish to the 2023 AFL season, 2024 was meant to be the year where Brisbane Lions defender Keidean Coleman took his game to the next level.

However, those aspirations of a big season were quickly dashed when the 24-year-old suffered an ACL injury in the opening round clash with Carlton.

“I think going into this year, I was very excited to see what I can do and was hoping to contribute to the team and take us to the finals,” he said.

“Obviously not ideal to be injured in the first game but I had a strong pre-season and I wanted to showcase why I was able to play good footy last year but now that I’m injured I can attack next year.

“I had a lot of trust in my teammates that trusted me to go out and perform well and it is still surreal.

“It is not that long ago we were playing in a prelim and a grand final, so they put trust in me and the whole team were awesome.

“It has happened now and obviously not the ideal start to our year but hopefully next year I can come back and be fit and ready to go.”

Since suffering the season-ending injury, Coleman has used the time away from playing to improve as a professional athlete off the field and was on hand in Toowoomba this week for the Auskick Murri Carnival Program.

“That’s the awesome part about it, obviously it is a bit unfortunate but there are always pros to things,” he said.

Keidean Coleman of the Brisbane Lions with kids at the Auskick Murri Carnival program in Toowoomba.

“Part of my development as a player off-field is doing these sorts of things and getting out to the community and getting out and helping kids and learning new things such as teaching and talking to people as well so I think that is a positive from my injury.”

While the road back to playing hasn’t been easy, Coleman has turned to Lions teammates Eric Hipwood and Cam Rayner, who have both suffered ACL injuries in recent years.

“I think having them two there and Will Ashcroft as well who’s done his ACL, if I have any questions or queries I can go to them,” he said.

“So a lot of people at the club that has gone through an ACL so they’re there to help me … it has been good to have them there.

“The first couple of weeks were a bit tough but since being back at the club and being around the lads it has been good.

“I started my gymming at the moment and doing a lot of boxing and swimming, so doing a lot of things upper body wise and doing a lot of things just to strengthen my leg at the moment.

“But it is a long term injury so I don’t need to rush myself into things but it has been good.”

Coleman’s grandmother, Theresa Hayes-Broome, said the sight of her grandson being assisted from the ground with a serious injury had left a sickening feeling in her stomach.

“It’s Keidean’s first bad injury after a lot of hamstring and other leg complaints, so it was a sad sight to see him hurt as bad as he was while in the process of kicking the ball,’’ she said.

“We’ve had a lot of calls and text messages from family and friends worried about him, but I can say he’s been really positive since the operation and is now looking forward to the 2025 pre-season.

“He’s a Katherine boy born and raised in the Territory and we’re all very proud of him, so look out next year when he’s back and firing again.’’

After a difficult start to the season where the Lions have won just two of their opening seven games, Coleman believes the next month - where the Lions play six straight games against sides outside the top eight - will be the chance for them to turn their season around.

“The next month or so is going to be important for us to start winning,” Coleman said.

“This week the Gold Coast won’t be easy, they’ve had a new coach and they’re playing in a new system so it is always tough when you play the Gold Coast Suns.

“It is never easy so the boys should be ready to go and I guess come Sunday night it is going to be a good battle and hopefully we get the win.”

Originally published as Injured Brisbane Lions star Keidean Coleman finding positives in ACL recovery