Track Watch: Matt Flynn forced off track with lower leg injury
An injury-plagued Eagle has suffered another setback at training on Wednesday morning. ELIZA REILLY has the details plus more on the players who impressed.
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Matt Flynn has made an early exit from West Coast training with what appears to be an ankle issue.
In a lighter session on Wednesday morning, Flynn tweaked something in that region during a routine kicking drill and was attended to by physios on the ground. But after attempting to jog it off, Flynn called it a day and headed indoors for further treatment, sharing a laugh with coach Andrew McQualter as he made his way to the rooms.
The ruck has since been cleared of serious injury.
Flynn spoke just last week about his desire to avoid injury in 2025 after playing just four games in his first year at the Eagles.
The 27-year-old suffered a freak hamstring tendon injury on the eve of round one after joining West Coast as a free agent only to injure his ankle later in the season.
“That was all a challenge in itself, and then to get injured right on the eve of the season wasn’t really ideal, but I learnt a lot about myself, and I leant into the support from the people around me,” Flynn told media last week. “Now I just want to set myself up for a big 2025, with new coaching staff and new players around me and I’m really excited.”
Flynn is currently locked in a battle with Bailey Williams to secure West Coast’s No.1 ruck role ahead of round one after the latter assumed the responsibility for the bulk of last year.
Third-year midfielder Elijah Hewett also had a light morning on the track, kicking at goal early in the session before heading indoors. Hewett appeared late in the session but only to chat to teammates still on track.
The 20-year-old is one of West Coast’s bright hopes heading into 2025 after missing all of last season with a foot injury, the Eagles eager to put more young talent alongside emerging star Harley Reid.
Dom Sheed also started training with the main group before leaving the track early while Campbell Chesser was also on light duties.
Oscar Allen, Liam Duggan and Brady Hough were also absent as was Elliot Yeo who is enjoying a lighter week after a nasty eye poke last week.
Duggan suffered a corked quad on Monday.
A healthy crowd was in attendance at Mineral Resources Park, one punter even spotted in a North Melbourne guernsey with ‘Still my Darling’ printed on the back in reference to departed forward Jack Darling.
Originally published as Track Watch: Matt Flynn forced off track with lower leg injury
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