Port Adelaide skipper Connor Rozee is the latest AFL player to hit the sidelines with a suspected hamstring issue, with AFL greats alarmed about the growing injury trend.
Rozee lasted three quarters on the field in the Power’s 20.13 (133) to 10.10 (70) win over the Bombers on Sunday after he appeared to suffer some nerve damage to his buttock.
The 26-year-old was attempting to make a tackle when he missed his leap and hit the ground, immediately clutching at his hamstring.
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Trainers were quick to assist him from the field in the third term, although Rozee told Fox Footy after the match that this injury “felt different” to a normal hamstring concern. It was later revealed that he had a little bit of numbness in his leg.
“He’s on crutches and he said, ‘I’ve done a few hamstrings before – this one felt different,” caller Kelli Underwood revealed.
Connor Rozee is injured. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“He said he felt a real niggle and spasm at the time. He does fear that it may be a tendon injury to that hamstring, which we know previously players who have suffered this – whether or not they need surgery – it can be an eight to 12-week injury.”
The absence of Rozee over a potential three-month period would be costly for the side, with former coach Ken Hinkley declaring he is simply “not a replaceable player.”
It is unclear to what extent Rozee’s injury is at this time but he will undergo scans on the area over the coming days.
But his injury will only add more alarm to Nine’s Sunday Footy panel, who recognised that there is an alarming trend of hamstring injuries now creeping into the game.
In the space of 24 hours, five players across various teams suffered hamstring injuries in round two. Rozee’s injury became the sixth in the 48 hour period.
Connor Rozee leaves the field on crutches as he joins teammates in celebrating their win. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, Christian Petracca, Callum Ah Chee and Anthony Caminiti have finished matches on the bench this week due to hamstring concerns.
Petracca has been confirmed as unavailable in the medium-term for the Suns.
The rule changes that have led to a faster game and fewer stoppages have been floated as a primary reason for this injury trend, with players not accustom yet.
“But (high performance) staff would have been all over this in the summer,” Rory Sloane said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“They would have been ramping up the high speed and metres (training strategies) to counteract this, knowing that there will be less stoppages and a higher intensity.
“Players and staff should be all over this, but we are seeing a few injuries that could suggest there are more to come.”
Christian Petracca is seen with ice on his leg. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Nine reporter Tony Jones questioned if it is simply a stint of “bad luck” for some players, a question that Matthew Lloyd does not believe anyone can answer until later this year.
But Llyod was not afraid to point out the key draw changes that could be playing a part in this trend.
“It is a lot in one round,” he said, after hearing all the names of injured players.
“Yes, players might have programs, but you don’t train anywhere near what you do on your own (compared to) when you are with the team.
“We’re training less and the games are getting faster and earlier.
“The AFL Players Association and the players are asking for more time off, and the season is starting earlier than ever before.”
Sloane added: “The first month of footy is always more intense too. The game slows down as the season gets on.”
Rozee was not the only player added to the injury lists for this round, with his teammate Miles Bergman leaving the field with an ankle concern following a marking contest.
The Power will host the West Coast Eagles next Sunday.