Defender Zach Reid sent for surgery as injuries hit Essendon, Sydney hard
The Bombers have been hit harder than most teams by injury in 2025 and have also sent midfielder Jye Caldwell under the knife to repair his syndesmosis injury.
Reid got Essendon fans excited this season after stringing together 10 games, having played just eight since being drafted in 2020 amid countless injury issues, and he was given a three-year contract extension.
But after experiencing some hamstring awareness towards the end of last Wednesday's main training session, follow-up scans confirmed a minor strain.
After consulting specialists, surgery was deemed the best option, ending Reid's season.
Essendon football boss Daniel McPherson is disappointed about the latest setback for Reid but confident in what the future holds for him.
'It's a tough blow for 'Reidy' to be ruled out for the year. However, we believe the surgical option offers him the best chance for a full recovery,' McPherson said.
'He's demonstrated exactly why he's so highly rated during the first 11 games this season. He remains a key part of our future.'
Caldwell suffered his syndesmosis injury late in the fourth term of Saturday's loss to the Gold Coast Suns when his ankle was caught beneath him in a tackle.
He will have surgery in the coming days with a return-to-play timeline yet to be determined.
Youngster Nik Cox was also ordered by the AFL's concussion panel to stand down for the rest of 2025 as part of a return to play program.
Meanwhile, Sydney's hopes of making a run to the finals have been hit hard, losing key forward Joel Amartey for 8-12 weeks with a high-grade adductor strain and Tom Papley will miss 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury.
Both injuries were sustained in Sunday's win over Fremantle that pushed last year's grand finalists to 10th on the ladder with a 7-9 record.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Jockey Blake Shinn's camp keen on Loft's chances in Deane Lester Flemington Cup
A vote of confidence from a star jockey's manager has boosted trainer Shane Jackson's confidence in Loft being prominent in Saturday's Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m). The $150,000 race is named in honour of the late form analyst and media presenter Deane Lester, a valued form source for many trainers and jockeys until his passing in 2023. Loft has successfully combined flat and jumps racing this year, winning twice over the hurdles before running a sound fourth behind the Melbourne Cup -bound Basilinna in the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 17. The Warrnambool-based Jackson said he welcomed a call from champion jockey Blake Shinn 's manager before the release of nominations for the $150,000 race on Monday. 'Blake Shinn's manager was on the phone well before nominations wondering if there was a chance of going there and he was keen to ride,' Jackson said. 'That's always a good sign when you have a jockey like that wanting to ride him. 'His manager Liam Prior knows the form inside and out and he must think he's a good chance.' Jackson said Loft's participation in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup was dependent on whether soft conditions prevailed on Saturday. He said he had a back-up plan in mind for Loft should weather allow Flemington to improve rapidly in the days leading up to the meeting. • Brad Waters' Monday Racebook: Horses to follow from Caulfield on Saturday 'It's a soft (6) at the minute so it would want to be a soft (6) or worse on Saturday but we'll be accepting as it looks a nice race for him,' Jackson said. 'But it would need to be a soft track. 'He's good around the Flemington track so all we need is a bit of rain around this week to keep the track in the soft ranges. 'We'll accept for Saturday at Flemington but we'll also accept for the Brendan Dreschler Hurdle on Sunday at Hamilton. 'We'll see what the weather does.' Experience Loft’s win with the Jackson family â�¤ï¸� @RacingVictoria @RSN927 @Country_Racing — (@Racing) May 1, 2025 • 'She's left a big footprint': 20 years on, Boss and Makybe Diva inspire a nation Jackson said Loft 'downed tools' if he found track conditions too firm on race day. He said fine conditions in Queensland prevented Loft from tackling last month's Brisbane Cup but added Loft's Andrew Ramsden effort showed he was up to winning at Flemington should favourable conditions prevail. 'He was great in the Ramsden,' Jackson said. 'He probably had to make a run a bit earlier than was ideal but he was good at the trip. 'Because he's rated so highly, it's a matter of finding the suitable races over the distances that he needs at this time of the year. 'The Brisbane Cup was a hope but it ended up drying out up there and these 2800m races are generally at Flemington, which dries as quick as anything, so you really need a few wet days leading up to the race.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis photos emerge amid sad Matildas news
Sam Kerr and fiance Kristie Mewis have been snapped looking over the construction of their future oceanfront home in North Coogee, Perth. The happy couple purchased the 200-square-metre piece of land back in August 2023 for an eye-watering $940,000. As Kerr, 31, made her way around the construction site, Mewis, 34, was seen holding a paint colour swatch with the words 'Snowy Mountains' written on it. The dream home which is set to be three levels when completed, is just up the road from Kerr's childhood home that was in Kardinya. While the images of the happy couple's visit to the site of their forever home are heartwarming, they paint a sad truth for the future of Australia's greatest soccer player. Kerr has been sidelined for more than 18 months after suffering an ACL injury during a training camp with Chelsea in early January, 2024. She suffered a setback on her road to recovery after having to undergo more surgery. In promising news however the operation wasn't related to the torn ACL. Her extended stint on the sidelines however has cruelled her time with WSL side Chelsea with her contract set to expire in June, 2026. The injury delay also means sad news for the Matildas and fans of the game with Kerr's prime arguably now in the rearview mirror. Australia's all-time leading international goal scorer has done almost everything the game has to offer, even becoming the first ever female footballer to grace the cover of a FIFA video game. But after almost two years since she last pulled on the boots, any hopes of her returning to her world-beating best may now be a thing of the past. With her contract at Chelsea set to expire in less than a year and a timetable on her return still up in the air, Kerr could potentially stick around and play in Australia. A move that could be followed by Mewis after she was let go by West Ham United in early July after two years at the English club. 'Even though my time at West Ham was not what I envisioned, I still learned so much and met so many amazing people,' she said. 'Everyone, but especially my teammates were incredibly supportive through my injury and pregnancy and I can't thank them enough for it. Nothing has been more important to me than football … but having my son has changed that 'Thank you @westhamwomen and thank you for helping me become a mom.' The couple who welcomed their first child in May and now with their dream home nearing completion, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see the duo stick around in Australia for the foreseeable future.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Prince of Boom could be retired if he doesn't show enough in Wednesday's 2025 Ramornie Handicap
Ramornie Handicap contender Prince Of Boom could be retired unless he can rediscover his old form in the $200,000 Listed race over 1200m at Grafton on Wednesday. The Robert Heathcote -trained gelding, who has been battling hoof issues, hasn't won since taking out the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) two years ago. And jockey Aaron Bullock faces a monumental challenge to win the time-honoured sprint on the six-year-old after Prince Of Boom drew gate 20 (including emergencies). Heathcote's fellow Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida scratched Metalart from the Ramornie on Monday afternoon after the last-start WJ Healy Stakes winner drew barrier 19. Metalart was a $5.50 chance with bookmakers before the barrier draw. The race favourite is the Richard Litt -trained gelding Barber ($4, barrier four), with the ex-Godolphin sprinter's most recent victory coming in the $250,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on May 10. Heathcote spoke to Racenet on Monday from the Rocky Mountains in Canada, where he is holidaying with his family, and admitted Prince Of Boom faced a rocky future if he couldn't turn around his fortunes on Wednesday. The son of Spirit Of Boom finished last in the WJ Healy on June 28 at Eagle Farm. Heathcote will also saddle up The Big Goodbye in the Ramornie, which the gelding won as a five-year-old in 2023. The Big Goodbye has been freshened up nicely after suffering a stone bruise in his hoof that led to an infection, similar to what happened to star stablemate Rothfire in the lead-up to the $3m Stradbroke Handicap last month. 'It's fair to say they're past their best but if they can recover some of their past form then they're going to be competitive,' Heathcote said about his pair, who are both $11 in the market. Prince Of Boom goes bang in W.J Healy Stakes! @clarkyhk the king of front running rides delivers again for Robert Heathcote who trains the quinella. — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 24, 2023 'Prince Of Boom is a $1.4 million earner and on his best day, he would beat these but he's a horse that suffers from chronic hoof issues. 'He's an ongoing source of frustration but I reckon we've got him right going into this race. 'I can shout from the highest mountain saying 'he's spot-on' but we won't really know until he's under pressure at the 300m mark. 'It's a hard race so my two will have to step up and be counted. Certainly Prince of Boom, his future is clouded unless he can recover his old form. 'His desire is still there but his feet are causing him problems.' The Big Goodbye overhauls a very brave Ranges in the 2023 Ramornie! Martin Harley with a peach for the Robert Heathcote yard! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 12, 2023 Schweida had never entered a horse into the Ramornie Handicap before this week but he was ready to have a crack with Metalart until the barrier draw cruelled his hopes of vying for the winner's $109,000 in prizemoney. In a wide-open race, there are five gallopers in the market at $8 or under. They are Barber ($4), Compelling Truth ($5), Midnight In Tokyo, Sha Of Gomer and Tribeca Star (all $8). Leading Sydney trainer Peter Snowden has won the Ramornie six times, either solo or with his son Paul, including last year with Ka Bling, but does not have a horse in this year's edition.
