Collingwood midfielder Tom Mitchell will miss at least this weekend’s game after having his appendix removed in recent days.
The 2023 AFL premiership hero missed last Friday night’s game against Carlton with a foot concern that was likely to only see him out for a week.
But he is now certain to be sidelined for this week’s clash against West Coast, while the following week against Adelaide could be in some doubt.
The 30-year-old posted an impromptu health update from his hospital bed on Monday morning, saying he had “plenty of time to kill” as he recovers from his appendicitis.
Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontemptelli missed two games in 2018 after being rushed to hospital with the same condition, while GWS speedster Lachie Whitfield had to watch the 2019 preliminary final from the bench when he underwent the surgery ahead of that game.
Whitfield played in the decider the next week, but was running at “50 to 60 per cent”, teammate Brett Deledio later said.
Mitchell joined midfield partner Jordan De Goey on the sidelines ahead of the thrilling one-goal win over Carlton, who suffered groin soreness following Collingwood’s Anzac Day draw with Essendon.
The explosive game-breaker had played every game this season after his important contribution to last year’s premiership, but didn’t cope well with a short five-day break leading into the Bombers contest.
“He’s got tight groins so we’re just going to back him off a little bit and hopefully get those things settled down,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae said of De Goey before last week’s clash.
“Who knows when he’s available — ideally next week.
“The reality is it (the injury) has come reasonably quickly, so my expertise, which is none, suggests that … if it comes on quickly, it may go away quickly.”
Mitchell was subbed out of the Anzac Day match, with McRae saying the former Sydney and Hawthorn player has been dealing with a plantar fasciitis issue.
“He’s been struggling with it a bit. At the opportune time, like now, we’re trying to get him ready to play and he couldn’t get through (the session),” McRae said.