Player Watch #24 Taj Hotton

[rado]

If he’s right, he’s right. The Serpent is an ACL specialist who is big on giving them ample recovery time. Once he’s ready, he’ll play a couple of VFL games, dominate those, and he’ll be in.

Under Serpent there’ll be no more risk if he plays mid-year this season or round one next season, so I’m hoping we get close to half a year out of him this season then he’ll be at peak performance start of next year.


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You may very well be right and I hope that is the case. I’ve had extensive experience with ACL’s too, I’m just stating it will be a cautious approach for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the pick we used to get him. He’s been a big investment, they will not rush him.

Secondly, more related to the physiology itself - the risk still exits between 12-24 months as the ligament (which was originally a tendon) still works through ligamentisation and maturing. It’s just when this risk starts being outweighed by the reward (different for everyone). The fact that he is a player so reliant on his lateral movement and agility I think will play a part too, as these explosive movements place more load on the ACL than a Tyler Young approach who is very much straight-forward.

I’m just telling you from where he is at training now 11 months post-injury, he is not close to returning like some may think should just happen at 12 months. Your half a year of footy assumption in 2025 will not be the case.

 

[Bojangles17]

You may very well be right and I hope that is the case. I’ve had extensive experience with ACL’s too, I’m just stating it will be a cautious approach for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the pick we used to get him. He’s been a big investment, they will not rush him.

Secondly, more related to the physiology itself - the risk still exits between 12-24 months as the ligament (which was originally a tendon) still works through ligamentisation and maturing. It’s just when this risk starts being outweighed by the reward (different for everyone). The fact that he is a player so reliant on his lateral movement and agility I think will play a part too, as these explosive movements place more load on the ACL than a Tyler Young approach who is very much straight-forward.

I’m just telling you from where he is at training now 11 months post-injury, he is not close to returning like some may think should just happen at 12 months. Your half a year of footy assumption in 2025 will not be the case.

How long did will Ashcroft have off , he’s returned ok

 

[THE_GUN]

No point in rushing him
Just aim for 2nd half of the year maybe round 14-16

 

[Morro]

No point in rushing him
Just aim for 2nd half of the year maybe round 14-16

Yep, a cheeky taste to give him a boost heading into his first full pre season with us.

 

[Calcium Man]

Day 1 of posting in this thread every day until Taj Hotton debuts.

You missed Sunday. So two days you lasted

 

[prodigy]

You missed Sunday. So two days you lasted

Lol! I bloody forgot. I even said to myself to knock it off early in the day but then got distracted.
Ahh well.
Maybe I might start the streak again in a week or so and take it seriously.

 

[rado]

How long did will Ashcroft have off , he’s returned ok

Absolutely! Sorry my post was not about any fear I had of Hotton making a full recovery, can’t wait till he gets going

 

[TigermanM2]

How long did will Ashcroft have off , he’s returned ok

Did his knee round 19 22/7/23 and returned round 17 on 28/6/24

The big difference is that Brisbane were contenting for premierships.

There is zero reason to rush Taj and given what we have learnt about Ben Serpell he'll be very very cautious. Probably expect a handful of games late in the season if all goes ok in VFL and a big preseason to be ready to smash it in 2026.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

Did his knee round 19 22/7/23 and returned round 17 on 28/6/24

The big difference is that Brisbane were contenting for premierships.

There is zero reason to rush Taj and given what we have learnt about Ben Serpell he'll be very very cautious. Probably expect a handful of games late in the season if all goes ok in VFL and a big preseason to be ready to smash it in 2026.

Also started his rehab in a FT professional environment.
Unfortunately with Taj still at school last year, he didn't have that luxury

 

[docko911]

They stated he is only just behind Lefau and Young. Based on reports Lefau and Young aren’t far behind Clarke so could be around that 3-6 week mark this week (maybe another week or two).

It’s 10 weeks until the bye so I could see Taj available for VFL the week after. Would give him 4-6 weeks of VFL and if form warrants it 4-6 weeks of AFL to finish the year. Possibly VFL finals as well.

 

[Moonatic77]

Did you see his highlights reel? Watch that and tell me with a straight face that he could be another castagna.

troll dog

 

[Moonatic77]

gunna be much better than Castagna

 

[guruisatiger]

Did his knee round 19 22/7/23 and returned round 17 on 28/6/24

The big difference is that Brisbane were contenting for premierships.

There is zero reason to rush Taj and given what we have learnt about Ben Serpell he'll be very very cautious. Probably expect a handful of games late in the season if all goes ok in VFL and a big preseason to be ready to smash it in 2026.

Will win the norm GOSS medal

 

[SA_Tiger11]

Cotton wool this year. Get him hungry for next year when we are flag favs