AFL star suffers horrific training ground injury and is set to miss a chunk of pre-season
- An AFL star will be ruled out for the next few weeks due to a bizarre injury
- The footballer suffered the brutal injury during pre-season training
Melbourne Demons ruckman Max Gawn has suffered a brutal injury after fracturing his larynx during pre-season training.
Dee’s height is expected to be sidelined for the next two weeks before returning to training, but will then be unable to participate in non-contact training for a further four weeks.
Gawn is understood to have suffered a blow to the neck during training this week, but Dees performance manager Selwyn Griffith is optimistic despite the bizarre nature of the injury.
“Max suffered a fractured larynx after a blow to the throat during training this week,” Griffith said.
‘As part of his recovery, Max will be unable to exercise for the next two weeks, followed by a further four weeks of non-contact training.
‘Despite the setback, Max is recovering well and remains cheerful.’
Max Gawn has been ruled out for two weeks after suffering a brutal injury on the training pitch
Gawn suffered a broken larynx after taking a blow to the neck during training
Gawn had a solid season in 2024, ranking seventh in the AFL for hit outs (714) and sixth in the league for stoppage clearances (74).
The Dees performance boss also provided several updates on some of their injured stars, including Charlie Spargo.
After nearly a year on the sidelines with an Achilles injury, the 25-year-old looks set to return to action in 2025.
“Charlie obviously had a very frustrating year from an Achilles perspective, but he’s done a great job in the offseason and since coming back,” Griffith said.
‘He is now integrated into the group’s skillset and is building his conditioning volume. ‘Our aim is to integrate him into an individualized Christmas programme, with the plan being for him to return to full training after Christmas.’
He also provided an optimistic report on Baley Fritsch and Christian Salem.
Both are said to have undergone minor surgeries at the end of the season and are continuing their return to play.
“Christian and Bayley both had arthroscopes at the end of the season,” Griffith said. “They did a great job in the offseason and are now both integrated into full training and are handling it really well.”
Jake Lever (center) also underwent surgery for a shoulder injury this offseason
Jake Lever also underwent an arthroscope and shoulder surgery.
“Jake had knee arthroscope and shoulder surgery in the offseason,” Griffith said.
“From a shoulder perspective, he’s not in contact as we make sure the reach and strength are sufficient before his integration.
“His knee is doing really well and he’s starting to build some good running loads.
‘He will still be in an adapted environment once we return from Christmas, especially from a shoulder perspective as we build up his tolerance for contact training.
“We expect Jake to be fully trained by the end of January.”