Injury Update – Round 1

THE Norwood Football Club would like to provide an injury update ahead of its Round one clash with Glenelg this Saturday afternoon.

The Redlegs have completed their three trial games which saw the coaches utilise and rotate players in the best way possible heading into the season opener this weekend.

Key defender Tom Donnelly reported some hip soreness after a trial game which has seen him listed as a test for this week’s game. The Tasmanian recruit is expected to train fully this week to put his name in the selection mix for Saturday afternoon.

Glenelg recruit Tom Condon reported a toe sprain following Norwood’s second trial game against West Adelaide at Richmond. Condon has resumed full training this week and will be a test for selection against his former side.

Former Dog Ben Kelly arrived at Norwood with a pre-existing groin injury which the high-performance team have put in place a strong management program. Kelly is progressing well and working his way back into training, we expect to see him available for selection in the coming weeks.

Former Aspley forward Kobe Tozer joined Norwood with a shoulder injury which he sustained in 2021 playing in the VFL. The club has been conservative with Tozer and will look to slowly re-integrate him into training. Tozer is likely to be available in the coming weeks.

Veteran midfielder Matthew Panos will not feature this weekend as he is nursing a hamstring injury sustained throughout the pre-season. Football Operations Manager Rob Harding, however, is adamant the fans will see Panos back in action sooner rather than later.

“Unfortunately for Panos he suffered a slight setback with his hamstring and a bit of back tightness,” Harding said.

“He has been able to get on top of that in coming weeks and Matt continues to build his running load in preparation for playing early in the season.”

Forward Lachlan Pascoe has had an injury-interrupted pre-season following a knee injury sustained during Norwood’s pre-Christmas training block. The bustling forward has been completing his rehab since then and has begun running this week. The club expects a return to action for Pascoe in the coming months.

Jed Spence unfortunately has suffered a blow on the eve of the season, with the midfielder set for surgery again.

“Spence suffered a serious knee injury against South Adelaide early last season,” said Harding.

“He returned to training at the start of pre-season and was building along well, before suffering another knee injury.

“Jed will go in for surgery next week and as a club will continue to support him both on and off the field.

Brodie Carroll has been battling some ongoing hamstring soreness throughout the pre-season. The club has taken a conservative approach with Carroll and has modified his training program. Carroll will build his training load in the coming weeks.

Injury Update as of 30/03/2021

Donnelly (Hip) – Test
Condon (Toe) – Test
Ben Kelly (Groin) – 1-2 Weeks
Tozer (Shoulder) – 1-2 Weeks
Glover (Ankle) – 2 Weeks
Panos (Hamstring) – TBC
O’Connor (Ankle) – TBC
Pascoe (Knee) – TBC
Spence (Knee) – TBC
Brodie Carroll (Hamstring) – TBC