AFL 2024: All the latest AFL pre-season injury news

One of Carlton’s biggest names went down with a calf injury last month, and has confirmed the worst for Blues fans, admitting he won’t be out there when Carlton’s campaign begins.

Matt Turner

@mattturner1986

less than 2 min read

February 13, 2024 - 7:50PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 27: Jacob Weitering and his Blues teammates look dejected after losing the round 24 AFL match between Carlton Blues and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on August 27, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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Carlton defender Jacob Weitering is aiming to return from injury after the club’s early season bye.

The Blues’ reigning best-and-fairest will miss the team’s first two matches – the preliminary final rematch against Brisbane at the Gabba and round 1 versus Richmond at the MCG – because of a high-grade calf strain he sustained last month.

Carlton then has a bye, meaning Weitering’s earliest potential return is the round 3 clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 29.

The club will reassess him during its week off ahead of the Kangaroos game.

Weitering told Channel 7 he would slowly transition to more drills in the next fortnight.

“The timeline is 6-8 weeks and hopefully we can nail that,” Weitering said.

Jacob Weitering won’t be available early this season. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Weitering confirmed he had suffered tendon damage from last month’s training injury.

He had his first run back on Monday.

The Blues’ co-vice captain has spent his time on the sidelines helping assistant coach Aaron Hamill mentor the backline.

“I wanted to stay as present as possible and some coaching opportunities were available,” he said.

“Defence is a big part of what I do and I wanted to help out as much as I can.”

Weitering said the preliminary final loss to Brisbane still hurt but the team was focused on rebounding in just under four weeks.

“A lot of people saw what we can do in the first quarter,” he said.

“It’s a prelim and it’s a loss, and it maybe hurts a little bit, but it’s a new season, we start on zero points and the boys will be pretty motivated I would think to go and get the job done.”