Suspected ACL tear for Nick Coffield as Saints sweat on scans
St Kilda has been dealt a significant pre-season blow, after Nick Coffield suffered a suspected ACL injury in an incident at training on Friday morning.
Coffield, 22, was taking part in the club’s match simulation session when the young defender suffered the right knee injury and was attended to by medical staff.
Nick Coffield.Credit:Getty Images
St Kilda’s chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said scans would determine how significant the injury would be.
“Early assessments from our medical team suggest it’s an ACL, but we’ll need to wait for scans to confirm the injury,” Lethlean said.
“This is obviously a really disappointing blow for Nick who has been showing positive signs all pre-season.
“Whatever the outcome, we know that Nick will attack his rehab with complete professionalism and the club will be supporting him every step of the way.”
According to AFL.com.au, the match simulation was stopped at Ballarat for five minutes while Coffield was helped off the field.
It’s a bitter blow to the Saints, who were plagued with injuries in 2021.
Jade Gresham played just three games last season due to an achilles injury, while James Frawley (shoulder), Dan Hannebery (calf), Jarryn Geary (shoulder) and Jake Carlisle (back) also played less than a handful of games each in 2021.
Nick Coffield at St Kilda training last month.Credit:AFL Photos
But St Kilda had gone through this pre-season unscathed until Friday.
Coffield was taken at pick No.8 in the 2017 draft and played 16 games in 2021, after a breakout 2020 season saw him finish fifth in the Trevor Barker Award count.
Meanwhile, Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning is back at training after having a “minor surgical procedure” to remove a blood clot in his shoulder.
As reported by The Age earlier this week, the Blues expect the 22-year-old to be available for a pre-season match before their season-opener against Richmond after returning to training.
“De Koning is in good health following the procedure and is being integrated back into training,” Carlton said in a statement.
“The Club will continue to monitor the 22-year-old closely over the next month to assess his availability for the start of the season.”
The Age reported earlier this week that De Koning is running and engaging in skills sessions but wore the yellow vest in match simulation on the weekend as the Blues monitor his build up to full intensity.
David Cuningham, Caleb Marchbank (knee reconstructions) and Liam Stocker (syndesmosis) are the only other players on Carlton’s injury list as they recover from their respective surgeries.
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