AFL pre-season news: Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard out of full training until February after shoulder surgery

Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard will miss most of the pre-season after having a shoulder reconstruction. Will he be ready for round 1? Here’s the latest injury news.

Shoulder surgery will keep Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard out of full training until February, while forward Jamie Elliott also had a shoulder clean up after the grand final triumph.

The Magpies first to four year players – and plenty of the senior core – returned to the track on Monday, with the remainder of the list required back next week.

But Maynard will be out of any contact drills until well into the new year as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction.

The rugged defender missed one match this year, in round 17, after picking up a shoulder knock.

Brayden Maynard won’t resume full training until February. Picture: Michael Klein

The Magpies expect him to be fit for round 1 but he won’t be back into full training until February following 12 weeks of recovery post-op.

Goalkicker Elliott also had shoulder surgery after the grand final but his operation was minor compared to Maynard, with the 31-year-old to get back into full swing in January.

Skipper Darcy Moore battled hamstring, ankle and wrist problems late in the season and will be eased into the new campaign.

He will be joined by Nick Daicos, Dan McStay and Darcy Cameron who each had knee concerns throughout 2023 and into the finals and will be eased into training before ramping up in January.

Nick and Josh Daicos at Collingwood training on Monday. Picture: Jason Edwards

“All four players are expected to return to full training in January and will be carefully managed through December to ensure they are well prepared for the 2024 season,” Collingwood head of high performance Jarrod Wade said.

Daicos was largely running laps on Monday as the young Pies got into pre-season, as was veteran Scott Pendlebury.

Following success in past years, Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe will take in their own pre-season program before joining the main group properly in December.