WEST Coast premiership hero Dom Sheed has suffered a devastating ACL injury on the eve of the season, likely ending his 2025 campaign before it has begun.
Sheed suffered the injury during an innocuous training incident on Monday and will now consult with medical experts about his path forward, with the midfielder out of contract at the end of this season.
The 29-year-old was restricted to just eight games last season because of foot and hamstring injuries, continuing a difficult run for 2018 Grand Final match-winner, who has played 24 games across the past three seasons.
“Unfortunately, Dom ruptured his ACL in an innocuous incident during training on Monday,” football manager Gavin Bell said on Tuesday.
“It is extremely disappointing news for Dom after a wretched run with injuries over recent seasons, and I know our players, staff and entire club will offer him their full support during his rehabilitation.
“We will take some time now to consult with Dom and medical experts about the next step, and we will provide a further update at the appropriate time.”
Sheed’s injury continues a recent run of setbacks for the Eagles, with star midfielder Elliot Yeo (knee and ankle) expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing syndesmosis surgery.
Meanwhile, young star Harley Reid will be on a modified program for the rest of this week as he manages ankle soreness.
Reid left the track on Friday with a lower leg issue, but the Eagles said on Tuesday that he would return to training next week as the club builds towards its first pre-season hitout against Richmond on February 17.
“Harley has had a really good training block post-Christmas, and had a little bit of ankle soreness last Friday,” high performance manager Mat Inness said.
“With a long year ahead, we’re just looking after him this week, using it as a de-load week for him, and we expect him to be back training next week.”
All-Australian forward Jake Waterman will also be on a modified program this week as he manages back soreness.
“He hasn’t missed anything the whole pre-season, so we are using this week just to modify his loads a bit, and will hopefully see him back training next week,” Inness said of Waterman.
