Although the Club finished last season with a long list of injured players, most are already back on track in their preparations for 2011.
Lions Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton gave lions.com.au an insight into the progress of some of the players who have been the subject of fan queries.
Matt Austin
Austin missed the end of last season after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle in a match with the Lions Reserves. He is back into a modified training program and is expected to join the main group in the next week or two.
Callum Bartlett
After overcoming a full knee reconstruction, Bartlett tragically ruptured the ACL on his other knee just over a month into his return with the Lions Reserves side mid-season. He has been slightly delayed in his progress after having some complications with his most recent operation. But the young midfielder should still be back on the field by mid next year.
Rohan Bewick
The Lions’ trade week recruit has unfortunately been grounded with a stress fracture in his shin. He will be eased back into training and probably won’t join the main group for another 4-5 weeks.
Jonathan Brown
Brown underwent groin surgery in mid-October and returned to pre-season training last week. He has started running, but probably won’t resume full training until early February in readiness for Round 1.
Jamie Charman
Charman is pressing along really well after serious ankle surgery. The Club is taking a cautious approach with his recovery, however he should be back running in around 2-3 weeks.
Josh Drummond
After his much publicised LARS surgery, Drummond was considered an outside chance to play late in 2010. But the Club is taking no chances and currently has him on modified loads to make sure he is ready for Round 1.
Brendan Fevola
Fevola is tracking well after serious groin surgery which ended his season in Round 18 this year. He is in good shape and has already started running. He is expected to commence full training post-Christmas.
Mitch Golby
Lions Rookie Mitch Golby missed most of last season with a knee injury, but has not been restricted at all throughout this pre-season. He has long been training with the main group and is showing no signs of being troubled by his knee.
Joel Patfull
Patfull had minor surgery on his hand after the Club’s China Tour, but has been back running since day one of pre-season. His fitness is obviously no problem, however he probably won’t begin ball work until after Christmas.
The Lions will continue to keep fans updated with the players’ injury progress throughout the pre-season period.
