Xavier Walsh

Port Adelaide draftee undergoes procedure after training mishap

The pre-season hasn’t gone according to plan for a first-year Power youngster.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

A Port Adelaide draftee has undergone an arthroscopy, sidelining him from pre-season training in the medium term.

Xavier Walsh, selected by the Power with the 13th pick in the 2023 Rookie Draft, 'jarred his knee' during a training drill.

According to Port Adelaide, the incident occurred during a post-Christmas training session, with Walsh reporting pain when kicking.

It's understood the tall forward had cartilage removed from the front of his knee during the procedure.

The 18-year-old's injury is thought to be on the minor side, with Port Adelaide expecting the East Perth product to return to running within two weeks.

With the exception of ex-Richmond recruit Ivan Soldo, who underwent pre-Christmas finger surgery, the Power have gotten through the off-season largely unscathed.

Soldo is expected to make a full recovery before the start of the season, while key forward Mitch Georgiades -- who suffered an ACL rupture last April -- is aiming to play in Round 1 against West Coast.

Port Adelaide plays Adelaide and Fremantle this pre-season before its season-commencing encounter with the Eagles on March 17.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski