Three Tasmanians are battling AFL pre-season leg injuries.
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Tom Bellchambers is destined for knee surgery while both his Essendon teammate Josh Green and Carlton’s Andrew Phillips are tackling foot problems.
Like fellow Bombers big man Joe Daniher, Bellchambers, 27, has been on a modified training programs in recent weeks.
The Essendon website reported that Daniher is expected to return to full training over the next fortnight but the former Launceston premiership player will undergo surgery and be sidelined for around eight weeks.
“Tom, like Joe, has a knee surface issue from a number of years ago that raised its head before Christmas,” high performance manager Justin Crow said.
“He was in rehab after a rest and progressing well until a week ago.
“We sought the advice of his specialist, Julian Feller, and Tom is going to go in for a clean-out of his knee to try to get him to 100%.
“Tom will start running in a month, he’ll build up his football over a month after that and then he’ll be pushing for selection.”
The Bombers reported that new recruit Josh Green, 24, originally of Clarence, is making strong progress after a foot problem hampered the small forward’s final season at Brisbane.
“Josh started with us with the background of two different foot stress issues,” Crow said.
“He’s been brilliant – we’ve been really impressed with the way he’s been able to transform his body.
“He’s done match play over the last couple of weeks, he’s doing full work at training this week.”
Meanwhile, Carlton ruckman Andrew Phillips has suffered a setback with scans confirming a stress reaction in his left foot.
The 25-year-old Lauderdale product will not require surgery but has been referred to a specialist who will determine a return date.
“While it’s disappointing Andrew has sustained this injury, he’ll be determined to get back out on the park as soon as possible,” head of football Andrew McKay said.
“He is extremely professional in his approach to football, and we know he will work as hard as he can to recover in readiness for the 2017 season.”
Phillips played 16 games and kicked six goals for Carlton last season after being traded to the Blues from GWS at the end of 2015.