Tiger Astbury cools his heels a little longer
March 6, 2013
Emma Quayle
David Astbury's comeback from a knee injury has been halted by a foot injury, which will keep the young defender out of the rest of Richmond's pre-season.
Astbury was one of his team's best players in the match against Essendon on Saturday in Wangaratta but discovered on Tuesday that he has a stress reaction in his left foot and will need to wear a moon boot for the next few weeks.
The 22-year-old was nearing the end of his first full pre-season since being drafted by Richmond in 2009, having spent more than a year working to overcome a serious knee problem.
He is hopeful he will need to spend just a week or two in the boot before continuing his comeback, having identified the problem reasonably early, but the setback will mean he most likely will miss out on a spot in the round one side.
''Clearly the selection process for round one is heating up and everyone will be doing their best to cement a spot in that team during the next few weeks,'' Astbury said.
''It's very frustrating that I'll miss the opportunity to do that, but hopefully I'll still be considered and get an opportunity soon.''
Astbury needed two operations to repair a dislocated kneecap and extensive damage to his medial ligament when he was injured five rounds into 2011, after an impressive debut season in 2010.
The defender battled further soft tissue problems before forcing his way into the Tigers' side for the final two games of last season.
Astbury did an excellent job on Essendon's Michael Hurley in Wangaratta, with coach Damien Hardwick optimistic that he could play an important role this season alongside Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes, Troy Chaplin and others.
Like Grimes, who is on his way back from serious hamstring problems, the defender has won his teammates over with his attitude and approach during such a long rehabilitation process. He signed a new two-year contract midway through last year, extending to the end of 2014.
''He's going to take a little bit of time. He did miss a significant amount of footy with the bad injury two years ago but he's only going to get better as the year progresses,'' Hardwick said last Saturday.
''He's still got to move the ball on a little bit faster at times, but we're really pleased with the way he's going.''
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