First year player Tom Joyce will miss up to six weeks of football after suffering a stress reaction in his right shin in the NEAFL’s win over the Sydney Swans on Sunday morning.

Joyce, still to make his AFL debut, had been playing consistent football for the undefeated NEAFL team before suffering this injury. 

General Manager of Football David Noble said the high performance and medical team will reassess after a month.

“It’s frustrating for Tom to get an injury at this time of year but the best option for his recovery is to rest,” he said.