Head of Physiotherapy and Medical Services Damian Raper provides an update on the injured Chad Warner, while providing an insight into how the club has overcome the challenges of the rehabilitation program as players adapt to the changing landscape of COVID-19.

Recap of Round 19 v Fremantle

We managed to get through the game well with no significant injuries. We did, however, have a pretty big knock to Nick Blakey's ribs and chest region, but he managed to recover well. He's been training strongly and has had no issues this week.

Jake Lloyd had another knock to his ribs but it settled down reasonably quickly in the third quarter and he was able to continue playing.

Sam Reid had his first game back in the AFL after a 10-week stint out and after he played two games in the VFL. It was hot conditions so he was cramping in the last quarter which stopped him from playing in the last five minutes of the game. There's no issues for Sam this week and he has trained without any issues and will be available again this weekend. 

Players returning from isolation

We have Harry Cunningham, Callum Mills, Callum Sinclair and Colin O'Riordan returning from isolation. They have gone well in their isolation period and have been working with our strength and conditioning team doing some treadmill running and a weights program. 

They were getting in as much football specific conditioning as they can with footballs they could kick around in their rooms. We're hoping they are going to be able to integrate into training tomorrow without any issues and hopefully be available for selection on the weekend. 

Chad Warner

Chad is ready to go this weekend, he trained strongly with our non-selected players on Sunday afternoon. He managed to get up to 10km in running and did some football specific conditioning. He's going to be available for a game in the VFL this weekend.

Overall, Chad has done really well, and there has certainly been some challenges being on the road for the last couple of weeks. He's had to adapt his preparation and skills on football or rugby league training grounds instead of AFL fields.

Players adapting to training/rehabilitation while travelling

All the players have had to adapt to different weight sessions, whether they have been using the gyms at the hotel or using different club gyms as well in the time we have been on the road.

Overall, the players have adapted really well to the changing environment, and we've been really lucky to receive some support from our suppliers in Biersdorf and Club Warehouse who have been really accomodating in their service, and also other commercial companies that we use like Therabody and PTP who have also been great ins supplying gear and equipment on the road, and also support our players in isolation as well.

There have been some really significant challenges but the club has adapted really well, and the players seem to be responding to it.