Reid sidelined for three weeks

Updated July 29, 2012 20:48:36

The Sydney Swans breathed a collective sign of relief after scans confirmed Sam Reid will only miss two or three weeks with a knee medial ligament.

Reid fell awkardly in a marking contest during the Swans' 72-point victory over the Suns on Saturday.

The 20-year-old forward will miss key upcoming games against Carlton and Collingwood, but crucially should be back to full fitness for the ladder leaders when the finals campaign begins.

Swans doctor Nathan Gibbs confirmed the news on Sunday in a club statement.

"Sam has suffered a partial tear of the medial ligament in his right knee," Gibbs said.

"The good news is that the scan revealed no other damage to the knee and that no surgery will be required."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000

First posted July 29, 2012 20:47:02

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Hawks' Osborne sidelined with ACL injury

Updated May 12, 2012 19:13:29

Hawthorn has confirmed Michael Osborne suffered an anterior cruciate ligament and lateral ligament injury in Friday's victory over Melbourne.

Although scans showed a high grade injury in Osborne's left knee, as it is an incomplete tear the Hawks will seek specialist advice in the week before judging how to treat the injury.

The injury came when Osborne was tackled while attempting a kick in the final quarter of his side's 66-point rout of the Demons at the MCG.

Osborne is the second Hawk to suffer an ACL this season after Alex Woodward injured his knee during the preseason.

The blow comes just as Stephen Gilham made a successful return on Friday after 12 months out with the same injury.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122

First posted May 12, 2012 19:03:47

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Blues' Laidler sidelined for six weeks

Updated March 05, 2012 22:31:30

Carlton defender Jeremy Laidler will have surgery and is out of action for up to six weeks because of his dislocated kneecap.

The Blues announced that Laidler would undergo an arthroscopy on Tuesday afternoon after suffering the gruesome injury during Sunday's preseason game against the Western Bulldogs.

Laidler met with a specialist and Carlton medical staff on Monday night.

He fell awkwardly during a marking contest in the first quarter of the game at Docklands.

Laidler's left kneecap was bulging to the lateral side as he battled severe pain, with fans gasping in horror at the replays on the video scoreboard.

Coach Brett Ratten said the Blues were able to put the kneecap back in place before Laidler was taken to hospital during Sunday's game.

Blues team-mate Ed Curnow said Laidler was a key member of Carlton's defence.

"He's shattered," Curnow said.

Curnow said he had been running around in midfield when Laidler was injured.

"I did have a quick look on the big screen and I got grossed out a bit myself," he said.

"I'm sure he's going to bounce back.

"We've got a lot of guys who can play that role, down back, that I'm sure will step up."

The Blues expect to regain forwards Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker, onballers Chris Judd and Mitch Robinson and defender Nick Duigan for Saturday's round-three preseason cup game against Brisbane at Maroochydore.

Carlton's best defender Michael Jamison trained at Visy Park on Monday morning and is on track to overcome a back injury in time to play in round one against Richmond at the MCG on March 29, Curnow said.

The Blues are chasing a spot in the top four in 2012 after finishing strongly in fifth place last season following a heartbreaking three-point semi-final loss to West Coast in Perth.

The Blues have lost all three of their preseason cup games by single-figure margins and Curnow said experimenting with positional changes is a key factor at this stage of the year.

"We'll probably want to go into the season with a bit of winning form," he said.

"But we also want to try out guys in different positions, send Shaun Hampson up forward for a bit longer than he usually would play, little things like that."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 22:31:30

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Varcoe sidelined for start of AFL season

Updated January 24, 2012 20:06:48

Geelong midfielder Travis Varcoe will miss the start of the 2012 AFL season due to a foot injury.

Varcoe was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot on Tuesday, with the club's football manager Neil Balme suggesting the dual premiership player will be sidelined for at least 10 weeks.

"It is a blow, but we expect he will only miss the start of the season proper," Balme told the club's website.

"The best course of action to correct the problem is for him to have surgery.

"It is unfortunate that he will miss around 10 weeks, but we will not rush his recovery.

"We have to be able to deal with injuries, and we expect other players will step up in Travis's absence."

The 23-year-old kicked three goals in last year's grand final and played 24 games in the 2011 season, his pressure and pace being a regular sight in the Cats' triumphs.

The preseason blow will be a significant hurdle for Varcoe to overcome, although he has a track record for dealing with limited preparation.

He suffered a shoulder injury while in Ireland for the International Rules series in 2010, meaning his 2011 preseason was delayed due to surgery.

He also missed the first five rounds of the 2010 season due to a broken thumb sustained in a preseason match.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, geelong-3220, vic, australia

First posted January 24, 2012 20:06:48

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