Carlton star Jacob Weitering suffers pre-season calf injury setback

Carlton’s preparations for the new AFL season have suffered a setback with one of the club’s biggest stars in danger of missing the opening round.

MELBOURNE – June 11: AFL. Patrick Cripps and Jacob Weitering of the Blues after the round 13 AFL match between Carlton and Essendon at the MCG on June 11, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

Carlton superstar Jacob Weitering is in a race to be fit for the Opening Round clash against Brisbane Lions after suffering a serious calf injury.

The gun backman is in line to be sidelined for about six to eight weeks with a “high-grade calf strain” although the club was reluctant to put an official timeline on his return.

The Herald Sun revealed on Thursday afternoon Weitering went down with a serious calf injury at Carlton training and would miss an “extended period” in a terrible start to the new year for the premiership fancies.

The setback means Weitering, who is one of the best defenders in the game, will be touch-and-go to play in the club’s first clash of the new season against the Lions on Friday, March 8, which is in eight weeks time.

It is a huge blow for the Blues as Weitering, 26, is one of the most important players for the club and the key anchor of the back line.

Jacob Weitering has suffered a calf injury. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

He won the club’s best and fairest award last season after another supreme campaign playing all 26 games to take out his second John Nicholls Medal.

The club will be careful to support his full recovery and will take no risks with Weitering in his bid to be ready for the start of the season.

The Blues kick-start the new season against Brisbane in Round 0, Richmond in Round 1, Port Adelaide (Round 2) and North Melbourne (Round 3).

It is a huge season for the club which will attempt to win its first flag since 1995 this year after bowing out last season in a preliminary final loss to Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Carlton said in a club statement it would continue to assess Weitering’s calf injury over the next few days to learn more about the extent of the damage.

“Carlton co-vice captain and key defender Jacob Weitering is expected to be sidelined for an extended period with a calf injury,” the statement said.

“The injury occurred during today’s main training session (Thursday), with scans confirming a high-grade calf strain.

“The injury will be reviewed in the coming weeks to determine return to play timelines.”

His injury will lead to increased opportunities for Lewis Young, Sam Durdin, Brodie Kemp and Caleb Marchbank in the preseason competition.

Weitering is likely to miss both of Carlton’s pre-season games.

Originally published as Carlton star Jacob Weitering suffers pre-season calf injury setback