Carlton’s AFL finals hopes have taken a merciless early hit, with dashing defender Zac Williams dominated out for your complete season due to a knee damage.
Williams suffered the damage at coaching on Friday and scans have confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The 28-year-old will endure surgical procedure within the subsequent few days earlier than beginning his rehabilitation.
“These incidents are so unfortunate and we are all feeling for Zac,” Carlton soccer boss Brad Lloyd mentioned.
“He could not have done any more this pre-season to get himself ready for the year.
“He will endure surgical procedure to restore his ACL and from there we’ll put a rehabilitation program in place for him over the following 12 months.”
Williams has managed just 23 games in two seasons with the Blues since his high-profile move from GWS.
“He has had greater than his fair proportion of dangerous luck with damage, Zac,” Lloyd mentioned.
“But in that point he has constructed up quite a lot of resilience, which he’ll little doubt faucet into as all of us help him on his highway to restoration from right here.”
Williams’ latest setback hurts Carlton’s chances of ending a nine-year finals drought after they missed out by the barest of margins last season – their first under Michael Voss.
Unlucky forward Sam Philp also suffered an injury blow, undergoing surgery after experiencing a stress fracture to the second metatarsal in a foot.
The 21-year-old played two games midway through 2020 but has not been seen again at senior level.
A timeline on his recovery is uncertain at this stage.
“We are all actually disillusioned for Sam, given how arduous he has labored to get his physique proper over the past 18 months,” Lloyd mentioned.
“He has confronted some important challenges throughout that point, and whereas this newest one is irritating, we’ll proceed to verify as a membership we’re with Sam each step of the way in which.”
Carlton open their 2023 marketing campaign in opposition to Richmond on the MCG on March 16.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
