Essendon doctor, Bruce Reid, today said that champion Bomber, Scott Lucas, is expected to miss between 9-12 weeks with a Grade 3 posterior cruciate ligament tear to his left knee.

 

""Normally they don't need an operation but we will do a scan in a few days to see if he has done any further damage to the surface or cartilage,"" Reid said.

 

""I don't think he has done that but, if he has, he will need an operation but otherwise we will be treating it conservatively.

 

“It’s a typical injury that the ruckman used to get so they changed the rules so they don’t run into each other from so far apart.

 

“The injury is sustained through a clash of the upper lower leg. When there is a clash of legs it can push that part of the leg backwards and tear the ligament.""  

 

Reid said Lucas won’t be able to do much rehabilitation work for the next 4-6 weeks and will just let his knee settle.

 

“After that it’s really about getting his power and strength back and getting used to the knee being in a slightly different position.

 

“It's important to get the muscles around the knee super strong because they tend to waste early right so lots of physio, lots rehabilitation, lots of swimming and work on the bike then he will get into the heavy weights.

 

""Mark Harvey had the same injury and missed twelve weeks and he came back and won the best and fairest so we are confident Scott can bounce back well."" 
 
Matthew Knights described the injury as extremely disappointing since Lucas had enjoyed a near prefect pre-season and seemed primed for a big year.
 
He said the injury could open up a position for a number for young Bombers, including Scott Gumbleton and Jay Neagle, who are both currently short of match fitness