Gold Coast’s top draft pick Leo Lombard set to miss start of AFL season

Gold Coast’s first pick in last year’s draft is set for a sideline stint after an impressive pre-season looked set to earn him an Opening Round debut against the Bombers.

Gold Coast rookie Leo Lombard will meet with a specialist this week before the club makes a call on whether to send its first round draft pick for shoulder surgery.

The 18 year old will at least miss the start of the AFL season after dislocating his right shoulder in a bump gone wrong late in the Suns’ practice match win over Brisbane last Thursday.

Lombard turned and collected Lions opponent Levi Ashcroft in mid-air but came off second best in the contest and was taken from the field.

He was sent for scans on Friday afternoon and spotted wearing a sling at the club’s season launch that night.

Leo Lombard was in the mix for an Opening Round debut. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“After receiving the scan results, Leo will consult with a specialist this week to determine the best course of action for his injury,” Suns physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said.

“We will prioritise Leo’s long-term health so expect he will miss some time as he rehabilitates his shoulder, with a timeline to be determined in due course.”

Though no final decision has yet been made it is likely Lombard will be sent for surgery.

Without surgical intervention players can sometimes return from a shoulder dislocation within a few weeks, though can then be prone to further dislocations.

Given Lombard is at the start of his AFL career and the season has not yet begun, the Suns will likely opt to play it safe with their academy graduate.

Surgery gives Lombard the best chance at a full recovery but would mean he spends a large portion of his debut AFL season on the sidelines.

Leo Lombard in action for the Suns academy. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

The news comes less than two weeks out from Gold Coast’s Opening Round clash against Essendon at People First Stadium.

Lombard was firming as a near-lock to make his AFL debut against the Bombers on March 8 after impressing teammates and coaches throughout the pre-season.

His setback is the fourth significant injury concern of Gold Coast’s pre-season ahead of a make-or-break 2025 campaign in which the club expects to play finals for the very first time.

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Midfielders Sam Flanders (back) and Touk Miller (knee) are in a race to be fit for Opening Round.

Key defender Charlie Ballard is a watch after injuring his ankle in match simulation a fortnight ago.

All three missed last Thursday’s practice matches against Brisbane and Collingwood.

Star off-season recruit Daniel Rioli injured his medial collateral ligament (MCL) before Christmas, however the ex-Tiger has returned to a full training load and is expected to play against Sydney in Friday night’s Community Series clash.

Originally published as Gold Coast’s top draft pick Leo Lombard set to miss start of AFL season