Young Essendon key position prospect, Scott Gumbleton, had surgery this morning at Epworth Hospital to repair a bulging disc in his back.
Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said that surgeons have described the delicate operation as a 'success' and the 20-year-old is now resting.
Hamilton said the bulging disc was impinging on nerves.
""This is a serious operation and we are all very pleased to hear that it went well,"" Hamilton said.
""Scott will now begin his 12-week rehabilitation program and I am sure he is eager to get stuck into it.
""We will provide him with all the help and assistance we can to aid his recovery. He is just 20-years-old and is determined to get back and play good football for Essendon.""
Hamilton said the operation is similar to that undertaken by Jason Winderlich last year.
He said Winderlich's impressive return to football will be something Gumbleton can use as a positive.
""We haven't ruled Scott out for a return to football later this year but this is a serious injury and we will not be rushing him,"" Hamilton said.
Hamilton again thanked the many people who have contacted the club with advice and good wishes.
""Scott's back problem has been around for the past 18-months and a number of more conservative approaches to address it have been adopted but haven't produced the desired results. As such, our medical staff and Scott decided that surgery was the best option.""
The 197cm Gumbleton was taken with pick No.2 in the 2006 National Draft. He has played five AFL games.
