HAWTHORN will this week place injured youngster Jed Anderson onto the long-term injury list but haven’t ruled out a return for him this season.
The exciting youngster who played six senior games last year, including the Qualifying Final win over Sydney injured his shoulder in Box Hill’s opening round game against Williamstown on 29 March and hasn’t played since.
He was named as an emergency for the Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong but failed a fitness test and was withdrawn from the squad before more news of his injury was revealed.
Hawthorn General Manager – Football Operations, Chris Fagan said the Club will give Anderson at least eight weeks on the sidelines before making a decision on whether he requires surgery.
“Jed subluxed his shoulder a few weeks ago and there was a reasonable amount of damage done to it,” Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
“We’ve decided we’re going to put him onto the long-term injury list and give that shoulder a good eight weeks to heal.
“We’re not sure yet whether he’ll need surgery down the track or just strengthening in the gym over the next few weeks will be the solution.”
But Fagan revealed the 20 year old is still in Hawthorn’s plans for 2014.
“We still want to give him a chance to be available for the team during the year, so we’re going to take that punt,” he said.
“We’ll make sure we do everything we can to rehab him and see how things go.”
The injury is a blow to the promising youngster who was one of the best afield for Box Hill before suffering the injury in Round 1.
Anderson kicked two goals and 17 disposals before suffering the injury during the third quarter.
The performance came after he overcame illness during the pre-season, where he was hospitalised for pneumonia in the Northern Territory and missed the Club’s pre-season camp in South Africa.
But once he returned to the Club, Anderson’s diligence and attitude towards his training impressed the coaching and fitness staff and he was ready for Box Hill’s season opener.
Brian Lake, who played his first senior game of 2014 against the Tigers on Sunday, meanwhile, has pulled up well and looks set to tackle St Kilda and their in-form captain, Nick Riewoldt at the MCG on Saturday.
