Under the watchful eye of the Western Bulldogs medical staff, a number of injured players have successfully made the transition back into the main training group this pre-season.
Among those to re-join the main training group was Tom Williams, Brett Goodes and Jason Johannisen who now have every opportunity at a full pre-season campaign, Medical Services Manager Andrew McKenzie said.
“A number of those guys have returned to the full group and have been in the pre-season for the entire time,” McKenzie said.
“They are completing full contact and the running program - as the rest of the team are.
“There are only a few long term injuries that are still on the list and they are all progressing really well.”
After spending the majority of 2013 rehabilitating a shoulder injury, Williams is back in full training and has been looking confident out on the track.
“Tommy Williams’ shoulder is really healthy, he has been in the full pre-season, he is coping well with the training so far,” he said.
“He had a good offseason, did a lot of work, a lot of strengthening and hasn’t missed a beat since returning.”
Goodes has also made a full recovery after fracturing his arm late in the season and has been training with the main group.
“Brett’s fracture is completely healed, he’s been working on strength as well,” he said.
“That’s been going really well, he’s back into full contact, he’s been running over the offseason, so he has coped well with the pre-season load.”
Fellow defender Johannisen rounds out the trio who are joining in on the main sessions, after spending time on the sidelines this year.
The 21-year-old injured his shoulder in round 15 against the GWS Giants but has resumed full training, including contact drills throughout the pre-season.
“Johannisen’s shoulder has settled down really well, he has returned back into the training group, he’s got good strength and is completing his weights comfortably,” he said.
“He is back into contact and he is coping well with the pre-season so far.”