Collingwood’s Head of High Performance Jarrod Wade has provided an Injury Update ahead of Thursday night’s clash against the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA.

Forward Nathan Kreuger has progressed well in his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered during the pre-season, achieving a number of important rehabilitation milestones over the last number of weeks. The 24-year-old is on track for a return to playing in the week of Round Five should he continue to meet a number of speed markers, a key measure in the recovery of hamstring injuries.

Young Ruck Oscar Steene remains within the 12-stage concussion protocol after a knock to the face suffered during a pre-season VFL practice match. In the same incident he suffered a facial fracture, an injury he has now been cleared of.

The return of Harry DeMattia has been narrowed down to between Rounds Nine and Ten, after the initial timeline of between Rounds Eight and Eleven. After a follow up with the surgeon at the six-week mark of his injury, the first year Magpie is now without his hand brace and can focus in on his rehabilitation which includes ball handling.

Initial diagnosis expected DeMattia to be out for twelve weeks, but if he can complete ball handling and grip strength measures over the next two weeks, and return to training after that, it may look like a nine-to-ten-week total recovery time.

Tall Josh Eyre is back running and continues to ramp up his intensity as he recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained during pre-season. After returning to 75% speed, the 21-year-old will focus on the intensity of his running over the coming weeks as he eyes a return between Rounds Eight and Eleven.  

Nathan Murphy is continuing to work through his return to play from concussion, with a focus on building confidence. The defender has been able to complete some team training, as well as normal gym work and running loads.

Forward Dan McStay has progressed from two running sessions a week, to three running sessions a week in his return from an ACL Injury. The 28-year-old is making strong progress in gymnastics and agility work, including with his change of direction. His rehabilitation is a criteria-based process, meaning that once McStay meets one marker, he moves onto the next criteria in recovery, with no ceiling placed on his return to play.

Watch the full Injury Update: