Whispering_Jack
Norm Smith Medallist
He's ****ing omnipresent. Kind of like the waiters at the Crichton medal.You'd best ask Doss that question.
Edit: my draw is not as quick as El Dosso
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
He's ****ing omnipresent. Kind of like the waiters at the Crichton medal.You'd best ask Doss that question.
Edit: my draw is not as quick as El Dosso
More or less. He's going well, just decided he'd had enough of BF.
Jade
He's still got it.
Ahhh... those heady days where Hurley and Gumby were going to take us to a flag, Lloyd-Lucas style.
Seems an age ago.
no worries mate. Also apologies to some of the freo supporters posting on your board, they whinge when others come onto our board then they go and be complete knobs on other teams board.
Anyway good stuff and i hope the trade works out for all involved. Maybe pick 55 could be a gun/ serviceable player.
Best of luck.
Good form bombers, you let a homesick player return to the club of his choice. I hope you find a serviceable player with your pick.
great to hear Hurley has made his X on the right dotted line, but does anyone know what Gumbleton's contract status is?
imho he's as valuable as Hurley & would be a horrible loss
3. Scott Gumbleton
hamstring
knee soreness, knee arthroscope
back spasm, fractured ribs & punctured lung; finger & thumb surgery + knee arthroscope
back spasm
back surgery
back
knee, collarbone & surgery
hamstring
hamstring
hamstring
knee
Poor gumby never had a chance. Believe he has been heavily restricted in what weights he can do due to his back so has never really been able to bulk up.
Does he have talent? We all saw glimpses of what he could be.. a 198cm forward with a good set of hands and a massive tank.
Only recently it seems that most are resigning to the fact that he might not ever make it.
Havn't entirly given up on the big fella but its not looking that great.
Asked by an Essendon member why the club opted for Gumbleton at Pick 2 and why it didn’t work out for either party, Dodoro told Dodcast: “This is a dagger in the heart.”
While Carlton took Bryce Gibbs at Pick 1, Gumbleton was widely regarded around the industry at the time as just as capable at No. 1.
Dodoro said Gumbleton should’ve been “an absolutely outstanding AFL player”.
“You’ve got to look at it like this: He’s 200cm, he does a 16 beep (test) which is absolutely freakish, he marked the ball at its highest point, he went back with the flight of the ball with courage … He was the prototype key-position forward. He had everything that Nick Riewoldt had at the same age, let’s not make any mistake about that,” Dodoro told Dodcast.
“That’s why he went Pick 2 and that’s why he probably broke a lot of our hearts.
“He did his medical screening and he passed it with flying colours. But early on in the piece, he had chronic hamstring problems when he ripped his hamstring really badly … From there, he developed some pretty severe back problems, which required two operations – and that was basically the end of his career.
“No one has crystal balls in these situations. You pick them on their merits. He was Pick 2 every day of the week.
“That’s how the cookie crumbles. It’s one you go to bed every night thinking ‘what could have been’ with him because he should have been an absolute star the competition.”
No current season stats available
No current season stats available
No current season stats available
Hope this isn't Zach Reid's trajectory.Reading back through this thread a little and found a nice summary (which is great, coz now I don't have to make one).
I think the back spasm, surgery on the bulging disk were in mid-2009. Then he played most of the 2010 season, then more hamstring injuries.
Also found an old thing from Dodoro reflecting on it during the covid pod in 2020, which evidently isn't in this thread given the last bump is 5 years old
‘A dagger in the heart’: Adrian Dodoro explains two key Essendon draft choices
‘A dagger in the heart’: How two draft snubs backfired on Essendonwww.foxsports.com.au
Sounds like it must've been a Grade 3 hamstring, which means one of the muscles is completely torn. That injury seems to have recurred at Fremantle after he was traded.
He was also one of the 34 players caught up in the saga, which may have been a bit of an uncited factor when he left the club at the end of 2013. Also for whatever reason when he retired from Freo he said it somehow wasn't due to the injuries... despite there being a bloody lot of them!
Me too... Although Gumby is probably the most chronically injured player ever drafted in the history of the league so it's probably unlikelyHope this isn't Zach Reid's trajectory.
paraphrased for brevity from the link below said:So we first have some new vocabulary:
- Pars interarticularis is the skinny/most fragile bit of the vertebrae that keeps the spine together.
- Spondylolysis is a back stress fracture usually involving the pars interarticularis, which has degrees of severity.
- Spondylolisthesis is when the vertebrae are displaced, which causes a herniated disc and can put pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord.
(I'll underline the extra letters to help distinguish the two coz the two words look almost the same.)
It goes on to say that, for most people, spondylolysis or low grade spondylolisthesis can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical treatment involves rest, nurofen, strength and mobility exercises, and sometimes a back brace for a while that limits movement so the bone can heal.
Surgery is only recommended for high-grade or severe cases of spondylolisthesis, and involves spinal fusion of the vertebrae with rods and screws that will permanently stop that bit of the spine from moving.
In cases that have nerve related symptoms like numbness, tingling, pain due to the spinal cord and nerve roots being put under pressure, they also need to surgically open up the spinal canal.
What I get from this is that there may never be another player who actually measures up to Gumby injury wise.Me too... Although Gumby is probably the most chronically injured player ever drafted in the history of the league so it's probably unlikely
Below is Gumby's injury/playing history as best I can confirm, with years representing standard contract seasons, e.g., 2007 is Nov 1 2006 – Oct 31 2007.
2007 – 5 AFL games, ?? VFL games: drafted, knee issue (pre-season?), plays VFL (Mar), 6 week hamstring same side as knee (May), plays VFL (Jul), plays AFL R17-R22
2008 – 0 AFL games, 2 VFL games: 3 week hamstring (pre-season Dec), plays preseason, 9 week hamstring (Feb), 3-4 week left MCL strain (May), played 2 VFL games, broken collarbone & surgery (Jun, surgery, "6 weeks", season ending)
2009 – 0 games: full training (pre-season Nov), 14 weeks bulging disc & surgery (Mar, conservative approach, season ending)
2010 – 17 AFL games, 0 VFL games: completed 100% of pre-season and put on 6kg, 2 weeks back spasm (Feb), played R1-R14, withdrawn "soreness", played R16-R18, 3-4 weeks broken ribs & punctured lung (Jul), 3 opportunistic surgeries on thumb, finger, and knee (Aug – season ending)
2011 – 0 AFL games, 9 VFL games, avail. 2 weeks no VFL: sore knee & another surgery (pre-season Nov), Playing VFL, 8 weeks out with 2 week hamstring (Apr), avail. VFL bye (Jun), 1 week back injury (Jun), plays VFL, 1 week hamstring (Jul), 1 week back (Jul), plays VFL, rested, plays VFL
2012 – 6 AFL games, 6 VFL games: 6 months out surgery to correct spine scarring caused another bulging disc & trapped nerve (pre-season Nov), plays VFL (May), minor concussion & stitches but recovers during the VFL bye (Jun), plays VFL, plays R16-20, subbed out then missed R21 "soreness", plays R22, missed R23 "soreness"
2013 – 7 AFL games, 8 VFL games, avail. 4 weeks no VFL: 4 week hamstring (pre-season Dec), soreness & modified program (Jan), plays VFL, plays R4-R7, rested, plays VFL, plays R10, 1 week ankle (Jun), plays VFL, plays R19-20, minor hamstring injury, traded
2014 – 0 AFL games, 6 WAFL games: uninterrupted pre-season, 12 week hamstring, plays WAFL (Jun), withdrawn 1 week back (Jul), play WAFL (Jul), withdrawn 1 week back (Jul), 5-6 week hamstring (Aug), retired, due for knee surgery
2007 – 5 AFL games, ?? VFL games
"suss" knee during pre-season?
1/3-15/4 playing VFL22/4 ??? VFL (R3), did he play???9/5 hamstring injury (5-6 weeks - same side as knee)
18/6 VFL return likely after extended lay off8/7-1/9 playing footy, including AFL rounds 17-2210/12 slight hamstring strain, full training in 3 weeks
2008 – 0 AFL games, 2 VFL games
16/2 Plays pre-season games16/2-21/4 hamstring during PS game, "4 weeks"
21/4 rested one more week from a hamstring injury1/5-4/6 - strained medial ligament (knee) during training, 3-4 weeks
4/6 back on the track after injuries10/6 successful return to the VFL, played 60 mins16/6 played VFL "playing his second game of the year for Bendigo after recovering from hamstring and knee injuries"16/6 - 21/7+ left collarbone fracture, surgery. min 6 weeks (3 months w/o surgery). "third setback this year" "on track for a recall to the senior side so disappointed"
2009 – 0 games
7/11 looking good, completed beep and yoyo tests etc16/3 bulging disc, surgery after 2 weeks, then miss another 12 weeks
10/4 Licka reckons he had to have the surgery, alternative was 2 months rest. hopefully playing in 12 weeks, otherwise 15-16 weeks.8/7 conservative approach, coach says it's unlikely he plays seniors in 2009
2010 – 17 AFL games, 0 VFL games
29/1 100% of pre-season training, put on 6kg6/2 played intra-club9/2 Back spasm, "twisted and locked up his back", hoping it settles. Miss first NAB challenge, hoping to be back R2
22/2 cleared of injury27/2-3/7 Playing footy, including R1-1411/7 withdrawn from Round 15, "sore in a few areas"
17/7-30/7 Played Rounds 16-1831/7 broken ribs, punctured lung, 3-4 weeks (rest of season)
31/7-24/8 used the opportunity to get surgery on his thumb, surgery on his finger
25/8-1/9 also a knee arthroscope
2011 – 0 AFL games, 9 VFL games, avail. 2 weeks no VFL
1/12 hurt his knee in the middle of last month, ordered to rest, had an operation "on Tuesday" (30/11)
5/12 had surgery on his knee recently, expected to be back running before Christmas (editorial)15/3 restricted pre-string with hamstring trouble, could play VFL this weekend, chance to play R127/3 did not play in round 1... which was this date.2/4 VFL (R1)9/4 VFL (R2)13/4 hamstring, 2 weeks
17/4 did not play VFL (R3)23/4 did not play VFL (R4)27/4 R6 injury list: hamstring, 1 week30/4 VFL bye (R5)3/5 R7 injury list: hamstring, 1 week11/5 R8 injury list: hamstring, 1-2 weeks18/5 R9 injury list: hamstring, 1 week19/5 R9 preview: hamstring, ongoing assessment24/5 R10 injury list: hamstring, indefinite1/6 R11 injury list: hamstring, 1 week4/6 VFL bye (R10) would be this week if not for the bye7/6 will come back from a hamstring in the VFL next week12/6 not selected for VFL (R11)
15/6 R13 injury list: back, 1 week to go, R13 preview: back, 1 week19/6 returns from a hamstring in the VFL (R12) after missing 2 months with a hamstring. comes into senior calculations per development coach. "promising return to the VFL last week." gotta play a few more to get confidence in his body.25/6 VFL (R13)2/7 VFL bye (R14)10/7 VFL (R15)14/7 has played 4 VFL games this year, pre-season knee issue and 2 hamstring strains (possibly wrong date?)16/7 VFL (R16), pretty good for us in VFL, stringing together a number of games - VFL coach, strong VFL performance. last 2 games for the reserves pretty good. another 2-3 weeks away before senior contention but stiff competition to get a game. - Hird + dev coach24/7 hamstring, not available for VFL (R17)
30/7 VFL bye (R18) may or may not have played3/8 R20 injury list: back, 1 week, R20 preview: back, test
6/8 VFL (R19)13/8 VFL (R20), could be in contention - Twomey20/8 didn't play VFL (R21) to make sure we're looking after his body - Hird
25/8 nearing a return, has played 2 games in reserves after re-injuring his hamstring "about 6 weeks ago". moving really well at training will play this week but probably in the reserves. - Hird27/8 VFL (R22) end of the season10/10 "had a few setbacks this year, got his body right"
2012 – 6 AFL games, 6 VFL games
18/11 back spasms, surgery needed, "a lot of scarring around the site of the previous operation and a problem with another disc" "trapped a nerve" "should be back running in 6 weeks"
24/12 surgery was successful, but still 3 months from full fitness10/2 Long term injury listed (min. 8 weeks): "Gumbleton had back surgery last November and is progressing well on a modified training program." "We are very keen to make sure we rehab Scott properly and give him every chance when he does come back so he is able to play consecutive games,” Hamilton said."27/3 back, LTI list13/4 R3 preview vs GC: injury listed as 'back'4/5 R6 preview vs BL: 'test'15/5 likely to play after recovering from back surgery (6 months ago)19/5 VFL (R9) returns from back surgery, first game of the year. Physically ready for a few weeks but held back by conditioning staff. 3-4 weeks then seniors2/6 VFL (R10) 3 goals against Williamstown, everyone excited about him getting back in the mix at Bomberland10/6 VFL (R11)16/6 VFL (R12)23/6 VFL (R13) Minor concussion, ~12 stitches. VFL bye following week. "5 VFL matches this year so far."
30/6 VFL bye (R14) would've missed with concussion8/7 VFL (R15) After AFL game coach considering promoting him14/7-12/8 Rounds 16-2012/8 R20 – subbed out
18/8 R21 – omitted, "soreness"24/8 Round 221/9 missed Round 23, "soreness"
12/9-19/10 re-signing stuff, did a medical at Freo but stayed
2013 – 7 AFL games, 8 VFL games, avail. 4 weeks no VFL
8/12 hamstring, restricted until January
18/2 "returned in January then pulled up sore and has been on a modified program. Should be right for Richmond game."
2/3 missed NAB cup R2 match (Richmond game)8/3 missed NAB cup R3 match15/3 VFL practice match, 5 goals, physically ready22/3 missed Round 1/no VFL29/3 no game split Round 1 both comps5/4 VFL (R1)13/4 VFL (R2)20/4 Round 425/4 Round 54/5 Round 610/5 Round 7 <VFL bye>18/5 Round 8 "rested due to risk of injury as indicated by high performance team" - Hird
25/5 VFL (R7)1/6 Round 107/6 Round 11 missed due to an ankle
16/6 VFL (R10)22/6 VFL bye (R11) "bat so deep Bellchambers and Gumbleton can't get a game"29/6 VFL (R12) 5 goals against Werribee7/7 VFL (R13)14/7 VFL bye, not selected in AFL21/7 VFL (R14) on the fringe of selection - Twomey27/7 VFL (R15)4/8 Round 1911/8 Round 20 corkie early in the game17/8 R21 didn't play at either level
24/8 R22 injury list: hamstring, test31/8 R23 injury list: "soreness", testTraded
2014 – played 0 games (Fremantle)
22/1 training with Pav, everything good etc4/2 hasn't missed a session over pre-season unless we make him rest26/2 torn right hamstring during nab challenge (12 weeks, really 15+ weeks)
1/3 hamstring, will miss 12 weeks23/4 R6 injury list: hamstring, 7 weeks5/5 sidelined with a hamstring injury27/5 can't wait to pull on Peel jumper in 2-3 weeks7/6 WAFL (R11)14/6 WAFL (R12)21/6 WAFL (R13)28/6 WAFL (R14)5/7 WAFL (R15)12/7 named in the WAFL (R16), withdrawn back injury
19/7 WAFL (R17)26/7 Peel bye WAFL (R18)29/7 injury report: back (test)
31/7 R19 injury list: calf?1/8 named in the WAFL (R21)2/8 withdrawn from WAFL (R21), leg soft-tissue injury, sent for scans (missed a month)
5/8 injury list: hamstring, 3 weeks12/8 injury list: hamstring, 2-3 weeks19/8 injury list: hamstring, 2 weeks26/8 injury list: hamstring, 2 weeks1/9 RetiredDue for a minor knee operation
Couple of things I notice here:
- The first knee injury happened in his very first pre-season and was probably pre-existing, followed by a second one in his second season.
- He had 3 hamstring injuries in his first 2 years at the club. They started within months of arriving.
- His back issue was identified in the third year of his AFL career, it involved a bulging disc and surgery, and then further surgery in his sixth year to correct scarring another bulging disc, and an impeded nerve.
Back stress fractures, bulging discs and the need for surgery are not mutually inclusive. I did a bit of reading about it, so the below is paraphrased:
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis - OrthoInfo - AAOS
Spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis) and spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis) are common causes of low back pain in children and adolescents who participate in sports that involve repeated stress on the lower back—such as gymnastics, football, and weight lifting.orthoinfo.aaos.org
I think from this we can deduce that what Gumby had was one of the most severe versions of spondylolisthesis, because we know that it involved two discs, nerves and required two surgeries. That is what we might call his back was already totally ****ed by his 3rd season.
Plenty of players have had spondylolysis and have been treated conservatively with rest and management. Once it heals, they go on to have long careers with no related issues other than a bit of atrophy, lack of mobility and uneven conditioning immediately after the period of rest required for the spine to heal.
Ridley had them, Josh Dunkley had them, Jack Crisp had them, Phil Davis had them...
Hopefully this latest group of back stress fractures at the club are ordinary spondylolysis and don't require any surgery.
Sack QuinnMe too... Although Gumby is probably the most chronically injured player ever drafted in the history of the league so it's probably unlikely
Below is Gumby's injury/playing history as best I can confirm, with years representing standard contract seasons, e.g., 2007 is Nov 1 2006 – Oct 31 2007.
2007 – 5 AFL games, ?? VFL games: drafted, knee issue (pre-season?), plays VFL (Mar), 6 week hamstring same side as knee (May), plays VFL (Jul), plays AFL R17-R22
2008 – 0 AFL games, 2 VFL games: 3 week hamstring (pre-season Dec), plays preseason, 9 week hamstring (Feb), 3-4 week left MCL strain (May), played 2 VFL games, broken collarbone & surgery (Jun, surgery, "6 weeks", season ending)
2009 – 0 games: full training (pre-season Nov), 14 weeks bulging disc & surgery (Mar, conservative approach, season ending)
2010 – 17 AFL games, 0 VFL games: completed 100% of pre-season and put on 6kg, 2 weeks back spasm (Feb), played R1-R14, withdrawn "soreness", played R16-R18, 3-4 weeks broken ribs & punctured lung (Jul), 3 opportunistic surgeries on thumb, finger, and knee (Aug – season ending)
2011 – 0 AFL games, 9 VFL games, avail. 2 weeks no VFL: sore knee & another surgery (pre-season Nov), Playing VFL, 8 weeks out with 2 week hamstring (Apr), avail. VFL bye (Jun), 1 week back injury (Jun), plays VFL, 1 week hamstring (Jul), 1 week back (Jul), plays VFL, rested, plays VFL
2012 – 6 AFL games, 6 VFL games: 6 months out surgery to correct spine scarring caused another bulging disc & trapped nerve (pre-season Nov), plays VFL (May), minor concussion & stitches but recovers during the VFL bye (Jun), plays VFL, plays R16-20, subbed out then missed R21 "soreness", plays R22, missed R23 "soreness"
2013 – 7 AFL games, 8 VFL games, avail. 4 weeks no VFL: 4 week hamstring (pre-season Dec), soreness & modified program (Jan), plays VFL, plays R4-R7, rested, plays VFL, plays R10, 1 week ankle (Jun), plays VFL, plays R19-20, minor hamstring injury, traded
2014 – 0 AFL games, 6 WAFL games: uninterrupted pre-season, 12 week hamstring, plays WAFL (Jun), withdrawn 1 week back (Jul), play WAFL (Jul), withdrawn 1 week back (Jul), 5-6 week hamstring (Aug), retired, due for knee surgery
2007 – 5 AFL games, ?? VFL games
"suss" knee during pre-season?
1/3-15/4 playing VFL22/4 ??? VFL (R3), did he play???9/5 hamstring injury (5-6 weeks - same side as knee)
18/6 VFL return likely after extended lay off8/7-1/9 playing footy, including AFL rounds 17-2210/12 slight hamstring strain, full training in 3 weeks
2008 – 0 AFL games, 2 VFL games
16/2 Plays pre-season games16/2-21/4 hamstring during PS game, "4 weeks"
21/4 rested one more week from a hamstring injury1/5-4/6 - strained medial ligament (knee) during training, 3-4 weeks
4/6 back on the track after injuries10/6 successful return to the VFL, played 60 mins16/6 played VFL "playing his second game of the year for Bendigo after recovering from hamstring and knee injuries"16/6 - 21/7+ left collarbone fracture, surgery. min 6 weeks (3 months w/o surgery). "third setback this year" "on track for a recall to the senior side so disappointed"
2009 – 0 games
7/11 looking good, completed beep and yoyo tests etc16/3 bulging disc, surgery after 2 weeks, then miss another 12 weeks
10/4 Licka reckons he had to have the surgery, alternative was 2 months rest. hopefully playing in 12 weeks, otherwise 15-16 weeks.8/7 conservative approach, coach says it's unlikely he plays seniors in 2009
2010 – 17 AFL games, 0 VFL games
29/1 100% of pre-season training, put on 6kg6/2 played intra-club9/2 Back spasm, "twisted and locked up his back", hoping it settles. Miss first NAB challenge, hoping to be back R2
22/2 cleared of injury27/2-3/7 Playing footy, including R1-1411/7 withdrawn from Round 15, "sore in a few areas"
17/7-30/7 Played Rounds 16-1831/7 broken ribs, punctured lung, 3-4 weeks (rest of season)
31/7-24/8 used the opportunity to get surgery on his thumb, surgery on his finger
25/8-1/9 also a knee arthroscope
2011 – 0 AFL games, 9 VFL games, avail. 2 weeks no VFL
1/12 hurt his knee in the middle of last month, ordered to rest, had an operation "on Tuesday" (30/11)
5/12 had surgery on his knee recently, expected to be back running before Christmas (editorial)15/3 restricted pre-string with hamstring trouble, could play VFL this weekend, chance to play R127/3 did not play in round 1... which was this date.2/4 VFL (R1)9/4 VFL (R2)13/4 hamstring, 2 weeks
17/4 did not play VFL (R3)23/4 did not play VFL (R4)27/4 R6 injury list: hamstring, 1 week30/4 VFL bye (R5)3/5 R7 injury list: hamstring, 1 week11/5 R8 injury list: hamstring, 1-2 weeks18/5 R9 injury list: hamstring, 1 week19/5 R9 preview: hamstring, ongoing assessment24/5 R10 injury list: hamstring, indefinite1/6 R11 injury list: hamstring, 1 week4/6 VFL bye (R10) would be this week if not for the bye7/6 will come back from a hamstring in the VFL next week12/6 not selected for VFL (R11)
15/6 R13 injury list: back, 1 week to go, R13 preview: back, 1 week19/6 returns from a hamstring in the VFL (R12) after missing 2 months with a hamstring. comes into senior calculations per development coach. "promising return to the VFL last week." gotta play a few more to get confidence in his body.25/6 VFL (R13)2/7 VFL bye (R14)10/7 VFL (R15)14/7 has played 4 VFL games this year, pre-season knee issue and 2 hamstring strains (possibly wrong date?)16/7 VFL (R16), pretty good for us in VFL, stringing together a number of games - VFL coach, strong VFL performance. last 2 games for the reserves pretty good. another 2-3 weeks away before senior contention but stiff competition to get a game. - Hird + dev coach24/7 hamstring, not available for VFL (R17)
30/7 VFL bye (R18) may or may not have played3/8 R20 injury list: back, 1 week, R20 preview: back, test
6/8 VFL (R19)13/8 VFL (R20), could be in contention - Twomey20/8 didn't play VFL (R21) to make sure we're looking after his body - Hird
25/8 nearing a return, has played 2 games in reserves after re-injuring his hamstring "about 6 weeks ago". moving really well at training will play this week but probably in the reserves. - Hird27/8 VFL (R22) end of the season10/10 "had a few setbacks this year, got his body right"
2012 – 6 AFL games, 6 VFL games
18/11 back spasms, surgery needed, "a lot of scarring around the site of the previous operation and a problem with another disc" "trapped a nerve" "should be back running in 6 weeks"
24/12 surgery was successful, but still 3 months from full fitness10/2 Long term injury listed (min. 8 weeks): "Gumbleton had back surgery last November and is progressing well on a modified training program." "We are very keen to make sure we rehab Scott properly and give him every chance when he does come back so he is able to play consecutive games,” Hamilton said."27/3 back, LTI list13/4 R3 preview vs GC: injury listed as 'back'4/5 R6 preview vs BL: 'test'15/5 likely to play after recovering from back surgery (6 months ago)19/5 VFL (R9) returns from back surgery, first game of the year. Physically ready for a few weeks but held back by conditioning staff. 3-4 weeks then seniors2/6 VFL (R10) 3 goals against Williamstown, everyone excited about him getting back in the mix at Bomberland10/6 VFL (R11)16/6 VFL (R12)23/6 VFL (R13) Minor concussion, ~12 stitches. VFL bye following week. "5 VFL matches this year so far."
30/6 VFL bye (R14) would've missed with concussion8/7 VFL (R15) After AFL game coach considering promoting him14/7-12/8 Rounds 16-2012/8 R20 – subbed out
18/8 R21 – omitted, "soreness"24/8 Round 221/9 missed Round 23, "soreness"
12/9-19/10 re-signing stuff, did a medical at Freo but stayed
2013 – 7 AFL games, 8 VFL games, avail. 4 weeks no VFL
8/12 hamstring, restricted until January
18/2 "returned in January then pulled up sore and has been on a modified program. Should be right for Richmond game."
2/3 missed NAB cup R2 match (Richmond game)8/3 missed NAB cup R3 match15/3 VFL practice match, 5 goals, physically ready22/3 missed Round 1/no VFL29/3 no game split Round 1 both comps5/4 VFL (R1)13/4 VFL (R2)20/4 Round 425/4 Round 54/5 Round 610/5 Round 7 <VFL bye>18/5 Round 8 "rested due to risk of injury as indicated by high performance team" - Hird
25/5 VFL (R7)1/6 Round 107/6 Round 11 missed due to an ankle
16/6 VFL (R10)22/6 VFL bye (R11) "bat so deep Bellchambers and Gumbleton can't get a game"29/6 VFL (R12) 5 goals against Werribee7/7 VFL (R13)14/7 VFL bye, not selected in AFL21/7 VFL (R14) on the fringe of selection - Twomey27/7 VFL (R15)4/8 Round 1911/8 Round 20 corkie early in the game17/8 R21 didn't play at either level
24/8 R22 injury list: hamstring, test31/8 R23 injury list: "soreness", testTraded
2014 – played 0 games (Fremantle)
22/1 training with Pav, everything good etc4/2 hasn't missed a session over pre-season unless we make him rest26/2 torn right hamstring during nab challenge (12 weeks, really 15+ weeks)
1/3 hamstring, will miss 12 weeks23/4 R6 injury list: hamstring, 7 weeks5/5 sidelined with a hamstring injury27/5 can't wait to pull on Peel jumper in 2-3 weeks7/6 WAFL (R11)14/6 WAFL (R12)21/6 WAFL (R13)28/6 WAFL (R14)5/7 WAFL (R15)12/7 named in the WAFL (R16), withdrawn back injury
19/7 WAFL (R17)26/7 Peel bye WAFL (R18)29/7 injury report: back (test)
31/7 R19 injury list: calf?1/8 named in the WAFL (R21)2/8 withdrawn from WAFL (R21), leg soft-tissue injury, sent for scans (missed a month)
5/8 injury list: hamstring, 3 weeks12/8 injury list: hamstring, 2-3 weeks19/8 injury list: hamstring, 2 weeks26/8 injury list: hamstring, 2 weeks1/9 RetiredDue for a minor knee operation
Couple of things I notice here:
- The first knee injury happened in his very first pre-season and was probably pre-existing, followed by a second one in his second season.
- He had 3 hamstring injuries in his first 2 years at the club. They started within months of arriving.
- His back issue was identified in the third year of his AFL career, it involved a bulging disc and surgery, and then further surgery in his sixth year to correct scarring another bulging disc, and an impeded nerve.
Back stress fractures, bulging discs and the need for surgery are not mutually inclusive. I did a bit of reading about it, so the below is paraphrased:
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis - OrthoInfo - AAOS
Spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis) and spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis) are common causes of low back pain in children and adolescents who participate in sports that involve repeated stress on the lower back—such as gymnastics, football, and weight lifting.orthoinfo.aaos.org
I think from this we can deduce that what Gumby had was one of the most severe versions of spondylolisthesis, because we know that it involved two discs, nerves and required two surgeries. That is what we might call his back was already totally ****ed by his 3rd season.
Plenty of players have had spondylolysis and have been treated conservatively with rest and management. Once it heals, they go on to have long careers with no related issues other than a bit of atrophy, lack of mobility and uneven conditioning immediately after the period of rest required for the spine to heal.
Ridley had them, Josh Dunkley had them, Jack Crisp had them, Phil Davis had them...
Hopefully this latest group of back stress fractures at the club are ordinary spondylolysis and don't require any surgery.