Carlton captain Chris Judd has forecast that it may be mid-season before he's back to full fitness.
Judd is set to lead the Blues into action in Round 1 against Richmond at the MCG on the back of just one practice match outing against the Western Bulldogs last Friday.
The 24-year-old, whose pre-season was interrupted by 'tendon release' groin surgery, has conceded he won’t be at his best for some time.
"Realistically, the body's going to improve quite a bit over the next two or three months and it will be probably then that I'll be able to really go at 100 percent," he said at Keysborough Golf Club on Tuesday where he was taking part in the Spirit of Carlton golf day.
"I haven’t had the surgery before so I'm running in the dark a little bit as well, but from some of the other people I've spoken to, they didn’t really feel like they reached full capacity until mid-year and realistically that's probably where I'll be as well."
"I am happy I've had the surgery but by the same token I think that's not the answer in itself, I think it’s important that all those rehabilitation exercises … play a big role as well, probably a bigger role than I thought pre-surgery."
Judd picked up 20 disposals in limited game time against the Bulldogs and while his trademark acceleration was evident from the opening bounce, his kicking appeared to lack penetration.
Judd was pleased with the run, however, and has recovered in fine shape.
"I pulled up good, it was a relief to get out on the ground and have a run," he said.
"I was a bit rustier than I expected, you quickly forget how quick AFL football is."
"Admittedly that was a practice game but you just can’t replicate that sort of speed at training so it was a bit of a shock to the system but I'll certainly be better for the run."
"The groins have pulled up well, obviously they're pretty rusty, but I'm just looking forward to Thursday week."
Judd is set to lead the Blues into action in Round 1 against Richmond at the MCG on the back of just one practice match outing against the Western Bulldogs last Friday.
The 24-year-old, whose pre-season was interrupted by 'tendon release' groin surgery, has conceded he won’t be at his best for some time.
"Realistically, the body's going to improve quite a bit over the next two or three months and it will be probably then that I'll be able to really go at 100 percent," he said at Keysborough Golf Club on Tuesday where he was taking part in the Spirit of Carlton golf day.
"I haven’t had the surgery before so I'm running in the dark a little bit as well, but from some of the other people I've spoken to, they didn’t really feel like they reached full capacity until mid-year and realistically that's probably where I'll be as well."
"I am happy I've had the surgery but by the same token I think that's not the answer in itself, I think it’s important that all those rehabilitation exercises … play a big role as well, probably a bigger role than I thought pre-surgery."
Judd picked up 20 disposals in limited game time against the Bulldogs and while his trademark acceleration was evident from the opening bounce, his kicking appeared to lack penetration.
Judd was pleased with the run, however, and has recovered in fine shape.
"I pulled up good, it was a relief to get out on the ground and have a run," he said.
"I was a bit rustier than I expected, you quickly forget how quick AFL football is."
"Admittedly that was a practice game but you just can’t replicate that sort of speed at training so it was a bit of a shock to the system but I'll certainly be better for the run."
"The groins have pulled up well, obviously they're pretty rusty, but I'm just looking forward to Thursday week."
