Player Watch Daniel Curtin

[Jarman3]

I'm starting to think that the lack of any word so far means we're not looking at a best-case "not too bad, rest it for 4-6 weeks and he'll be all good" kind of scenario

 

[cleanhands]

Without knowing much about anything myself, I have noticed a trend of injuries in 2nd and 3rd year players where, having rapidly put on the extra 15kg required, this then places their ligaments under much greater strain than they've been used to in their relatively short athletic life (let's say an AFL player reaches their final height somewhere between 16 and 19years old).

Does the rest of their musculoskeletal system need time to strengthen and accommodate the bulk? Do they really need to become any bigger than they already are at this stage?

It wasn’t Dans issue

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I'm starting to think that the lack of any word so far means we're not looking at a best-case "not too bad, rest it for 4-6 weeks and he'll be all good" kind of scenario

I gather there wouldn't be any surgery until swelling goes down... but we should no soon enough one way or the other.

 

[madstar]

There's a point where if someone is likely to have ongoing issues with it then you're better off getting the surgery unfortunately

I wonder if Dan has had dislocations before?

I know he's had issues with that knee previously but never heard specifics

Hopefully no loose bone fragments and minimal ligament damage. Would be interesting to know his history in this area.

 

[Tex Danger]

I'm starting to think that the lack of any word so far means we're not looking at a best-case "not too bad, rest it for 4-6 weeks and he'll be all good" kind of scenario

Agree

The more positive the outcomes the more clear cut it would be

The longer it takes the more it
means they’re relying in more scans/surgical opinions

 

[flashcrow]

I know AI is a bit hit and miss, But I asked it anyway. Here is what it told me:

"While Dan Curtin was seen wearing a protective bandage during his early days at the Adelaide Crows (2024), it was primarily used to manage general knee soreness and load management as he transitioned into the AFL.

Prior to his injury on January 19, 2026, there was no publicly documented history of patella instability or recurring kneecap dislocations in his youth.

Context of the Protective Bandage

• Purpose: In early 2024, the bandage was a precautionary measure for soft-tissue soreness common in high-growth young athletes rather than a brace designed to prevent dislocation.
  
  
• Durability: His durability throughout the 2025 season, where he played every game without significant knee issues, suggests that his earlier soreness was effectively managed.
  
  
• The 2026 Injury: The current dislocated left kneecap occurred during a high-impact wrestling drill. Because he is only 20 years old, the club is now considering surgery specifically to prevent future stability issues and chronic dislocations that can follow a primary incident.

Medical staff are currently weighing surgical options to ensure he does not develop the long-term patella issues seen in other young players who returned too early from similar injuries".

 

[Velvet George]

Saw the clip, what purpose did that drill serve? You can’t wrestle playing footy so what’s the ****ing point?

 

[Pugsley]

Saw the clip, what purpose did that drill serve? You can’t wrestle playing footy so what’s the ****ing point?

It didn't serve any purpose. A dumb drill.

 

[Pea Nut]

Saw the clip, what purpose did that drill serve? You can’t wrestle playing footy so what’s the ****ing point?

It’s extremely fatiguing to wrestle. The point of that drill is a combination of building physical strength and mental toughness under extreme fatigue. I actually think it’s a great drill to be doing. It’s just really shit a potential superstar of ours has now suffered an injury.

 

[ssj3Pretz]

We were one of the better sides in breaking tackles last year. Possibly these wrestling exercises had something to do with that.

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

Saw the clip, what purpose did that drill serve? You can’t wrestle playing footy so what’s the ****ing point?

Absolutely, it’s not WWE.

Another example of Crow’s incompetence.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Saw the clip, what purpose did that drill serve? You can’t wrestle playing footy so what’s the ****ing point?

oh I dont know. Whats and act in football thats close to wrestling?

Breaking tackles, shrugging off opponents maybe. Had a huge point.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Absolutely, it’s not WWE.

Another example of Crow’s incompetence.

the only incompetance is you dont see the relationship between wrestling and tackling

 

[AFC979810]

I'm starting to think that the lack of any word so far means we're not looking at a best-case "not too bad, rest it for 4-6 weeks and he'll be all good" kind of scenario

Spot on.

Feels like the club is bracing for some bad news. Have a feeling there might be a contract extension this week to make the shit sandwich a little more palatable.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Spot on.

Feels like the club is bracing for some bad news. Have a feeling there might be a contract extension this week to make the shit sandwich a little more palatable.

What I heard through sports news is most are predicting a gather round return at best. The problem with knees is its hard to predict. Some players come back quickly from knee damage, others take a long time. The club has had history of not putting a legit time frame on some injuries.

Tredrea dislocated his knee early on and still had a great career.

Curtin may have to spend his time in the gym really bulking up his legs which may mean his ability to be that elite running tall midfielder we thought we had might already be out the window and he becomes grounded in a key position. This will be in the future though. For now he is young enough to ride it out but you would think the minute it becomes a reoccurring issue then yeah KPP it is.

Its a big loss though but hopefully we can be in a good position that when he comes back during the season it can be a springboard towards finals.

 

[JPetro83]

You would think the club would have made the decision by now whether to operate or now. i dont get it, if there is no bone or cartilage damage why does he need to go under the knife? give him 8 weeks off, rehab it, strap it and play.

 

[Pugsley]

It’s extremely fatiguing to wrestle. The point of that drill is a combination of building physical strength and mental toughness under extreme fatigue. I actually think it’s a great drill to be doing. It’s just really shit a potential superstar of ours has now suffered an injury.

Can we nuke that oval too?

 

[Pugsley]

You would think the club would have made the decision by now whether to operate or now. i dont get it, if there is no bone or cartilage damage why does he need to go under the knife? give him 8 weeks off, rehab it, strap it and play.

I don't know why you'd think the AFC is competent.

 

[Mutineer]

the only incompetance is you dont see the relationship between wrestling and tackling

Sarcasm meter on the blink again?

Check the history between the 2 posters.

 

[Velvet George]

oh I dont know. Whats and act in football thats close to wrestling?

Breaking tackles, shrugging off opponents maybe. Had a huge point.

All done with a football in your hand, moving, not laying on the ground with 2 blokes on top of each other!

Wouldn’t it make more sense to practice tackling, shrugging off opponents

 

[Velvet George]

We were one of the better sides in breaking tackles last year. Possibly these wrestling exercises had something to do with that.

bigman have we wrestled like that in previous years?

 

[JPetro83]

I'm starting to think that the lack of any word so far means we're not looking at a best-case "not too bad, rest it for 4-6 weeks and he'll be all good" kind of scenario

Are you just saying that due to the typical luck we get/curse we have? or do you think that is really the case?

 

[adelaidecrows]

Sarcasm meter on the blink again?

Check the history between the 2 posters.

yeah my bad, apologies to all involved

 

[Mutineer]

bigman have we wrestled like that in previous years?

I'm sure they have done this in past seasons, I seem to recall Josh Manuel mentioning it in an interview I think with Rowey perhaps.

I'm also certain other clubs do as well.

 

[StonesThrow]

Have seen heaps of other clubs wrestle amongst various other random exercises where you could do any number of injuries.

We live in the age where someone needs to be digitally lynched for every event.