AFL 2024: Injuries & Suspensions

Demons pair ruled out for season

More and more agony for Melbourne fans.

Published by
Sam Sherlock

Sam Weideman and Kade Kolodjashnij's time in season 2019 is up with the pair set to be sidelined for the final four rounds of the year.

It hasn't been the year fans, coaches and Weideman himself would've liked in his development as a player, with Melbourne's poor form not helping the decline. One of the rising stars in last year's finals series - Weideman has played 11 games this season due to form and injury and now with his broken jaw will not return in 2019.

Kolodjashnij is equally as young and exciting but a torrid run of injuries has hampered his career to date with only 80 games in six years. Concussion and whiplash have been the big ones for the former Gold Coast Sun, as the Tasmanian born is yet to reach his full potential which saw him drafted at pick 5 in the 2013 draft.

The 23-year-old will be hoping for a strong pre-season and consistent year of football where he can truly show his value to the Demons, who traded for him to strengthen their forward line after last years preliminary disaster.

Melbourne elite performance manager David Mission told the club of the confidence in giving Kolodjashnij time with his family to relax before a big pre-season.

"Obviously he's had multiple concussions, so we're being cautious with him," Misson told the club's website.

"He's just come back from the Gold Coast after having a bit of time away with his family to just reset, but he's come back pretty enthusiastic to get going again.

"He won't play this year, but we're hoping we'll set him up for a good pre-season."

Melbourne plays Richmond this week and their 5-13 record is not sitting well with fans.

Published by
Sam Sherlock