AFL pre-season injury news: Callum Coleman-Jones and Blake Acres undergo surgery
A date for Carlton winger Blake Acres to return to full training has been revealed as he recovers from back surgery. Plus there’s been another setback for a key Roo.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Carlton is hoping wingman Blake Acres returns to full training in the new year after back surgery as luckless Roo Callum Coleman-Jones faces a late start to pre-season following an achilles setback.
Young players will begin filtering in to the start of pre-season training next month as the road towards 2025 begins.
Important runner Acres will be sidelined for much of the start of Carlton’s campaign after he had back surgery earlier this month on a bulging disc.
The successful surgery should mean Acres joins in some light work before Christmas in the hope of joining proper training in January.
Acres played 23 out of Carlton’s 24 games this year.
Spearhead Charlie Curnow will likely also be taking it easy in December, having undergone ankle surgery after Carlton’s elimination final loss.
The dual Coleman medallist was hampered by the sore ankle in the later stages of the 2024 season and sat out the final against Brisbane.
Forward Corey Durdin also went under the knife post-season, with the hope his shoulder is back to full strength in the new year.
The achilles setback is a blow for Coleman-Jones after the injury ruined his 2024.
The forward-ruck played the first three games for the Roos but wasn’t sighted again after he blew out the achilles on Good Friday.
The injury swelled up again late in the season and he had another round of surgery in August.
Coleman-Jones was in a moonboot for several weeks but has begun settling into multiple rehab sessions a week at Arden St, with the Roos unclear as yet on when he would return to full fitness.
North Melbourne went out and traded for Jack Darling to fill the tall forward role alongside Nick Larkey that was earmarked for Coleman-Jones when he crossed from Richmond at the end of 21.
The 25-year-old has played 22 games in three seasons with the Roos, at a time when the club was crying out for tall forward support.
Fellow tall Charlie Comben and exciting youngster Zane Duursma are both expected to be into full training after Christmas following shoulder surgery.
Full-back Griffin Logue (wrist) is also expected to be in full training in January.
Josh Goater (achilles) and Brayden George (knee and shoulder) will hope to get a proper run at the game next year.
The Roos added Bulldog Caleb Daniel, Swans Luke Parker and Jacob Konstanty as well as Darling in the trade period.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL pre-season injury news: Callum Coleman-Jones and Blake Acres undergo surgery
Houston shock: I wanted to be a Blue
Dan Houston has revealed he wanted to join Carlton and reunite with Michael Voss before being traded to arch rival Collingwood. This is how his Blues dream fell apart.
Two clubs emerge as possible home for delisted Demon
Adam Tomlinson has spoken of his desire to continue his AFL career at a third club, with two teams emerging as possible suitors for the delisted Demon.