Delisted Jack Bytel

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Inside ball-winner Jack Bytel was drafted at No.41 after struggling with back issues throughout 2018.

"Jack is a player that we thought would have been a first-round pick but for the injuries this year. I think he was the second-highest stat-getter behind Sam Walsh last year in the TAC Cup," Lethlean said.


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Maxy and Jack

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St Kilda draftee Jack Bytel will have surgery this week to repair a bulging disk in his lower back.

Bytel, drafted by the Saints with pick 41 in the 2018 AFL Draft, was recruited with a pre-existing back injury that has restricted him to light duties throughout the pre-season.

General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean said the club understood that surgery was the likely scenario when selecting the talented midfielder.


“Jack is a player with a lot of promise, and he couldn’t have been more impressive in terms of his character since joining the club,” Lethlean said.

“We knew when selecting Jack that his injury would likely require surgery, but we wanted to see him complete a block of rehab training to know for certain that it was the best option.

“The specialists are confident this procedure will allow Jack to put this injury behind him and we look forward to Jack becoming the player we know that he can for the Saints over the coming years.

Jack will have a four-six week recovery period before beginning a rehab program that will see him gradually increase his training over the next few months.


Don’t Panic !!
 

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Jack Bytel
Age: 19
Height: 189cm
Weight: 78kg
Position: Midfielder

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St Kilda’s faith in Max King was evident, but it was just as prominent for Jack Bytel.
Back issues resulted in the prospect top-10 pick sliding down the draft order, allowing the Saints to snap him up with the 41st selection.
The Calder Cannons co-captain has been forced to go through a lengthy rehabilitation following surgery on a bulging disc, but has been the ultimate professional in his recovery.
A natural leader and a high accumulator of possessions, Bytel has all the makings to lead St Kilda’s engine room in the years to come.
 
Jack Bytel is also shaping nicely after back surgery and will look to crack into the senior side after spending all of 2019 on the sidelines.
The pick No. 41 in last year’s draft has been the ultimate professional both in the gym and on the training track and is poised for a huge 2020 campaign.

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Jack Bytel has used the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill during his intensive recovery.
 
Jack Bytel

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This time last year…
…Jack Bytel had only mustered the six games in the 2018 NAB League, before a serious back issue prevented him from taking to the field completely.
The Calder Cannons co-captain had been earmarked as a top-five pick before his back injury derailed his chances.
Bytel enjoyed a brilliant 2017 campaign, averaging 28 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles per game to place among the best-on-ground eight out of a possible 10 times.
Then…
…the Saints saw the sheer talent of the inside midfielder despite his injury setbacks, stealing him with pick No. 41 in last year’s draft.
With longevity in mind, the 19-year-old underwent surgery to repair the bulging disc in his back, before he was subsequently moved to the long-term injury list to make way for SSP selection, Jonathon Marsh.

St Kilda FC

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A classy midfielder with proficiency on both sides of his body.

You're going to enjoy watching Jack Bytel play!

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Now…
...Bytel’s lengthy recovery has come to a head, with his professionalism and dedication seeing him on track for a huge 2020.
If he’s able to rekindle his bullish inside work, tackling pressure and accumulation of the footy, the No. 23 will be an incredible asset to the red, white and black.
 
Here we go.
Coming close to the end of pre-season and by the sounds of it Bytel is over his back injury that ruled him out of last season. He will essentially be a new recruit this year so excited to see how he goes.
Sounds like he is training well so we should get our first chance to see him in action during the pre-season matches

His injury was what made him slide so far down the draft to us at pick 41, was highly rated before his back problems in his draft year. Has potential to be a great steal by us.

I don't live in Melbourne so don't get to go to training or anything but I searched through the pre-season thread and found some match reports by our posters that mentioned Jack. Didn't pick and choose the good one's, pretty much didn't see any bad mentions of him which is exciting:

For me Bytel a certainty , has vision & smarts of 100 game player already.
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Could swear I just saw Bytel lifting the back of a small front wheel drive car up.
If it wasn't him it was his doppleganger!
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Jack Bytel: The kid is a big boy. Had no idea of his size until I seen him up close. Obviously still got plenty of size to gain with a few more preseasons. Looked good in match sim
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And to add to the Bytel hype train - completely over his back injury, put on size, cut his hair and has been the one feeding the ball to Hill during the match sim. Lade was pretty excited about him.
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Bytel excellent in close. Took a while to recognise him with the short hair. Got the body of a man. Looks like he can play.
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Bytel got his first match today in a scratch match against the Hawks
Match wasn't televised at all so still haven't had a chance to actually see him play. Probably won't be getting any stats either.

This was the bit on him from the Saints review article
Bytel held his own swapping between the centre square and forward 50, making his first appearance at any level after more than a year out with a back injury.
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Changes are he won't play in our last pre-season match so may be a while before he is back in Saints colours. He'll be playing for Sandy though so hopefully he can get a bit of form up there.

Photo from today (note the short hair)
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