Sam Skinner's ACL rehabilitation is on schedule, with the 2015 draftee returning to running today.
Scans in July confirmed that Skinner had torn his left anterior cruciate ligament, requiring a full knee reconstruction.
He was due to make his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at the Gabba that same week in Round 19.
It was a devastating blow for Skinner, who spent the early part of his time at the Lions in rehab from an ACL injury (to the same knee) sustained while playing for Vic Country in 2015.
“It’s just a gradual build (in order to) try to get a bit of volume in it for when I start playing. Hopefully it’s next year or the year after.
“I got back to the Club after the surgery and it was hard to get into it then because I sort of thought I’ve got another 12 months to go, thinking I’ve just done 12 months. It wasn’t great coming back straight away.”
The 19-year-old defender is making good progress, with the Club establishing programs to help him prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.
“It was good having a chat to some of the guys at the Club and I’m feeling good at the moment. I’ve been trying to do a lot of things to just get out and do stuff, on holidays like getting out and going to the beach, and even having a chat when I need to have a chat.
“It’s been good speaking to Claye and Dayne Beams, they’ve been injured quite a bit so they’ve always got some good advice.
“It’s just slow and steady.”
Lions High Performance Manager Damien Austin said the Club’s Medical team and Performance staff were pleased with Skinner’s progress.
Austin said instead of a traditional hamstring or patella graft, Skinner’s surgeon used a quad tendon graft.
“It’s the first one we’ve done,” said Austin.
“Generally it’s a patella or hamstring. He hasn’t had any issues, his quad has been pain free and all is going well.
“Sam’s rehab has gone really well to date, his leg strength and his quad strength has come back really quick.”
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