Injury Woes for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne Ahead of AFL Season

Liam Baker, a new addition to the West Coast Eagles, experienced an injury scare as he limped off the field during a match simulation on Wednesday. The premiership winner from Richmond was brought to the Eagles at the cost of a first-round draft pick, and his condition seems concerning after he left the simulation with a strapped right ankle.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have also announced an injury to premiership player Elliot Yeo, who has sustained damages to his right knee and ankle. In North Melbourne, vice-captain Harry Sheezel expressed concern for teammate George Wardlaw, who has encountered yet another hamstring injury that required scans after he left the training field early. Sheezel, who was drafted with Wardlaw in 2022, highlighted the emotional toll of the situation, noting the hard work Wardlaw has put into his fitness.

Assistant coach Leigh Adam from North Melbourne confirmed that Wardlaw had completed a significant portion of the pre-season before this latest injury. He praised Wardlaw for his strong form and fitness but acknowledged the possibility that he may miss several games. Adam believes in Wardlaw's resilience, noting that he has faced challenges before and will undertake his rehab diligently to return to the field as soon as possible, although the timeline for recovery remains uncertain.