Injury Injuries 2024

[Mojorisin]

Rest Bont. The games against west coast ffs

The team that beat us in our most recent encounter.

 

[AFDogs]

The team that beat us in our most recent encounter.

I think we have learnt not to take them lightly. Put a few hungry blokes in like Macrae and Harmes. A debutant or two.

 

[Golden_6]

The team that beat us in our most recent encounter.

Understood but if WCE are going to trouble us even without the Bont, then I'd think I'd rather lose anyway and fast forward the process for coaching change.

This should be a semi-comfortable win if anyone at the club is half serious. There are zero excuses.

 

[X_box_X]

We can't be taking WCE easy.

They almost beat us three years ago at the same venue when we were flying.

 

[BeMoreBont]

Was the incident on the weekend the same ankle Bont had surgery on at the end of last year?

 

[maddog37]

Third game of the year. No resting players please.

 

[Sentinel]

Third game of the year. No resting players please.

Maybe a late out or two?

 

[threenewpadlocks]

The fact that we're already talking about resting players shows what a leg up the 8 out of 18 teams who get an extra bye is.

Not to mention we played Melbourne coming off a 10 day break. Whatever advantage we might have had offsetting R0 teams being battle-ready also they're a bit bumped and bruised was also overcome by Melbourne getting 10 days to recover from their bumps and bruises, while also maintaining that battle-ready status.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Medical Room | Round 4

Bulldogs’ duo Cody Weightman and Ed Richards will be tested ahead of this weekend’s Gather Round clash against Geelong.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Bulldogs’ duo Cody Weightman

3

Cody Weightman

Age

23

Ht

179cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

6.5

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

6.5

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

6.5

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.0

4star

and Ed Richards

20

Ed Richards

Age

24

Ht

188cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.4

4star

MG

201.4

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

5.3

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

2.5

3star

MG

198.3

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

4.8

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

232.4

4star

will be tested ahead of this weekend’s Gather Round clash against Geelong.

Weightman was cleared of serious damage following an elbow injury against West Coast but will still be monitored throughout the week.

“In the second quarter of the AFL game, Cody was involved in a tackle that caused an elbow injury,” Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, said.
“He was able to play out the game unrestricted.

“Scans have cleared Cody of any serious damage to the bones around his elbow joint, so we will work through a process across the week to determine his availability.”

Richards is a chance to return to the line-up after being sidelined with concussion.

“In some good news, Ed has continued to progress well through our concussion protocol,” Bell said.

“He still has some boxes to tick this week before we can confirm if he is available for selection.

“We will be in a position to make this call following our main training session on Thursday.”

James O’Donnell (concussion) and Jordan Croft (shins) successfully returned to playing via the VFL over the weekend, while Ryan Gardner (foot) remains 2-3 weeks away.

Player​	Injury​	Estimated return​
Ed Richards	Concussion	Test
Cody Weightman	Elbow	Test
Ryan Gardner	Foot	2-3 weeks
Nick Coffield	Shoulder	12-14 weeks
Aiden O'Driscoll	Concussion	Indefinite
Bailey Smith	ACL	Season

 

[bobs head soup]

Medical Room | Round 4

Bulldogs’ duo Cody Weightman and Ed Richards will be tested ahead of this weekend’s Gather Round clash against Geelong.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Bulldogs’ duo Cody Weightman and Ed Richards will be tested ahead of this weekend’s Gather Round clash against Geelong.

Weightman was cleared of serious damage following an elbow injury against West Coast but will still be monitored throughout the week.

“In the second quarter of the AFL game, Cody was involved in a tackle that caused an elbow injury,” Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, said.
“He was able to play out the game unrestricted.

“Scans have cleared Cody of any serious damage to the bones around his elbow joint, so we will work through a process across the week to determine his availability.”

Richards is a chance to return to the line-up after being sidelined with concussion.

“In some good news, Ed has continued to progress well through our concussion protocol,” Bell said.

“He still has some boxes to tick this week before we can confirm if he is available for selection.

“We will be in a position to make this call following our main training session on Thursday.”

James O’Donnell (concussion) and Jordan Croft (shins) successfully returned to playing via the VFL over the weekend, while Ryan Gardner (foot) remains 2-3 weeks away.

Player​	Injury​	Estimated return​
Ed Richards	Concussion	Test
Cody Weightman	Elbow	Test
Ryan Gardner	Foot	2-3 weeks
Nick Coffield	Shoulder	12-14 weeks
Aiden O'Driscoll	Concussion	Indefinite
Bailey Smith	ACL	Season

Early days yet, but that injury list is pretty modest compared to most and mostly accidents, so good signs from the new conditioning team.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Medical Room | Round 5

Key defender Ryan Gardner is nearing a return to availability following a foot injury, while Bailey Smith is set to tick off a significant rehab milestone.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Key defender Ryan Gardner is nearing a return to availability following a foot injury which has prevented him from playing the season so far.

“Ryan has been in our rehab group across the last few weeks after suffering some foot soreness related to bone stress,” Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, said.

“After having some time off his legs, and then gradually building his running back up, Ryan has now developed some continuity in his football training.
“If Ryan gets through main training like I expect, he will return to availability this weekend."

Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

will tick off a significant milestone in his ACL rehab when he runs on the AlterG Anti-Gravity treadmill this week.
Smith underwent ACL reconstruction surgery late last year after an incident at training.

The treadmill, designed with unweighting technology, reduces the impact of running or walking, allowing those recovering from surgery to exercise without pain.

“Bailey has continued to be incredibly dedicated to his rehabilitation and has continued to progress as well as we could have hoped,” Bell said.

“When you’re in long term rehab – it’s important that you celebrate the small milestones.

“Bailey will hit one of these small milestones by doing his first running session on our Alter-Gravity treadmill on Wednesday.”

In other news, first-year Bulldog Lachie Smith has suffered a minor setback.

“With the VFL bye on the weekend, our non-selected players completed a game-like training session – during this, Lachie slipped during a rapid change of direction and over-stretched the back of his right knee," Bell said.

“Although he is sore and swollen, scans have cleared him of serious structural damage.

“We will confirm his return to play timeline across this week as his acute symptoms improve.”

Injury List​

Ryan Gardner (foot) – test

Lachie Smith (knee) – 2-3 weeks

Nick Coffield (shoulder) – 10-12 weeks

Aiden O’Driscoll (concussion) – indefinite

Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

(ACL) – season

 

[Golden_6]

Whether it’s a bit of PR or lip service, the club doesn’t seem too disengaged from Smith’s rehab.

EDIT - You can also see him today in Sam Darcy’s rising star video so at least he’s back at the club in some capacity.

 

[Dale4captain]

Just as an aside of how far our club has come in the last 15 years, we now have two of the Alter-G treadmills in our gym permanently. Previously, we would send our guys to Collingwood’s facilities to carry out their running on these machines because we couldn’t afford them.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Immediately following last night’s fixture against Essendon, Tom Liberatore reported to the Bulldogs’ medical team with no concussion symptoms and passed a head injury assessment, conducted as per AFL protocols.

Tom remains without concussion symptoms this morning. However, given the concerning nature of in-game footage during the final minutes that show Tom falling to the ground, the Club’s medical team has subsequently reached a decision to place him in concussion protocols.

This decision has been taken with an abundance of caution, with Tom’s health and wellbeing the absolute priority.

As a result, Tom will miss Thursday’s match against St Kilda and will continue to be monitored.

 

[dogwatch]

Immediately following last night’s fixture against Essendon, Tom Liberatore reported to the Bulldogs’ medical team with no concussion symptoms and passed a head injury assessment, conducted as per AFL protocols.

Tom remains without concussion symptoms this morning. However, given the concerning nature of in-game footage during the final minutes that show Tom falling to the ground, the Club’s medical team has subsequently reached a decision to place him in concussion protocols.

This decision has been taken with an abundance of caution, with Tom’s health and wellbeing the absolute priority.

As a result, Tom will miss Thursday’s match against St Kilda and will continue to be monitored.

Unfortunate, but it's a wise decision in Tom's best interests.

 

[maddog37]

Could he just be working himself to oxygen deficit coupled with being winded by big fat Jakey boy and fainting?

Simply pushing himself too far. (Clutching at straws here)

 

[_Cerberus_]

Yeah well done on the club for making this decision. It would have been easier to brush it aside, given he passed all testing, have him suit up vs the Saints. But it is good the club is taking the "better safe than sorry" approach. Hopefully they are still doing other tests to rule out any other issues.

 

[Spiritof82]

Could he just be working himself to oxygen deficit coupled with being winded by big fat Jakey boy and fainting?

Simply pushing himself too far. (Clutching at straws here)

Libba Jnr is a legend and a great guy but at times he is on a different planet to other people so it would probably be hard for the medics to judge whether he's been concussed or not.

 

[weltschmerz]

O’Driscoll update

His concussion symptoms are gone and he has been cranking out 10km training sessions as the club’s best runner after being taken at pick 55 in last year’s draft.

But he is yet to be given permission to resume playing since that late January incident.

His brother Nathan O’Driscoll said last week he was set to meet with an AFL concussion panel to be given full clearance to resume his AFL career.

The club is hopeful he will be able to make his debut in the VFL in coming weeks but will be guided by the medical experts.

 

[_Cerberus_]

O’Driscoll update

Very happy to see that he is now on the road to resuming. It still makes me nervous though, as I have never heard of another AFL player missing a couple of months of anything, from their first concussion. Must have been a pretty significant knock to have effects lasting that long. Hopefully that is the only one he has, and he does not become prone and goes on to a long career. Really glad the club and AFL have taken the long road approach. Needs to happen more often with serious head knocks.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore will continue to be monitored this week after being placed in concussion protocols.

It means the vice-captain will be unavailable for Thursday night’s fixture against St Kilda, as confirmed over the weekend.

“In the dying minutes of the game, Tom seemingly innocuously went to ground,” Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, explained.
“On reviewing the game footage, this was within minutes of some incidental contact in a contest.

“Although Tom didn’t report any obvious concussion symptoms post-game and passed the head injury assessment, we want to be conservative and thorough in Tom’s assessment and management.

“Tom has been placed in the AFL concussion protocols, and we will work through a process across this week to ensure that we make accurate decisions regarding his return to play plan, with his health and wellbeing our absolute priority.”

Rory Lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

31

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.9

4star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.6

3star

and Anthony Scott have been cleared of any serious structural damage, following their respective ankle injuries in the VFL.

“Both Anthony and Rory finished the VFL game prematurely after suffering ankle sprain-type injuries,” Bell said.

“Although they are both expectedly sore with some associated swelling, scans have cleared them of any serious structural damage.

“We will need to work through a process with them both across this week to determine their availability.”

Injury List​

Rory Lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

31

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.9

4star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.6

3star

(ankle) – Test
Anthony Scott (ankle) – Test
Tom Liberatore (concussion) – 1 week
Lachie Smith (knee) – 1-2 weeks
Nick Coffield (shoulder) – 8-10 weeks
Aiden O’Driscoll (concussion) – indefinite
Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

(ACL) - season

 

[Bulldogs85]

Medical Room | Round 7

Tom Liberatore will be a test heading into Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Tom Liberatore will be a test heading into Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

Post the Essendon defeat, Liberatore was moved into concussion protocols and according to Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell, he is tracking well.
“Tom Liberatore continues to eye a return this week after missing the game on the weekend,” Bell said.

We still have some boxes to tick within our concussion protocol.”

“We will look to work through this over the next 48-72 hours before we can determine Tom’s availability.”

Young ruckman Lachlan Smith remains a chance to return to the VFL after recovering from a knee injury.

Injury List​

Tom Liberatore - Concussion - TEST

Lachlan Smith - Knee - Test

Nick Coffield - Shoulder - 8-10 weeks

Aiden O'Driscoll - Concussion - Indefinite

Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

- ACL - Season

 

[dogwatch]

Medical Room | Round 7

Tom Liberatore will be a test heading into Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Tom Liberatore will be a test heading into Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

Post the Essendon defeat, Liberatore was moved into concussion protocols and according to Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell, he is tracking well.
“Tom Liberatore continues to eye a return this week after missing the game on the weekend,” Bell said.

We still have some boxes to tick within our concussion protocol.”

“We will look to work through this over the next 48-72 hours before we can determine Tom’s availability.”

Young ruckman Lachlan Smith remains a chance to return to the VFL after recovering from a knee injury.

Injury List​

Tom Liberatore - Concussion - TEST

Lachlan Smith - Knee - Test

Nick Coffield - Shoulder - 8-10 weeks

Aiden O'Driscoll - Concussion - Indefinite

Bailey Smith - ACL - Season

No mention of VDM?

 

[Bulldogs85]

No mention of VDM?

He must be fine

 

[Bald]

No mention of VDM?

He passed his concussion test, and was subbed out tactically is my understanding.