FORWARD Ricky Petterd has succumbed to a nagging Achilles injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Football manager Josh Mahoney said Petterd, who has played four of his 54 AFL matches this season, will undergo surgery. Petterd’s most recent match for Melbourne was against Port Adelaide in Darwin, round 17.
“Ricky has been battling with an Achilles complaint for the second half of the season,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
“It has been decided that the best course of action is to operate.
“This will occur this week, giving Ricky the best chance to recover without it affecting his pre-season.”
Defender Jack Watts is a chance to return this round, after missing the past five matches with an ankle injury.
Versatile tall Stef Martin also faces a fitness test, after a foot injury ruled him out of the past two rounds.
Ruckman Mark Jamar (calf) remains out for two more matches.
Leading goalkicking Mitch Clark and 2009 best and fairest winner Aaron Davey are out for the rest of the season with foot injuries.
Backman Clint Bartram, the speedy Jamie Bennell and big man Max Gawn will also miss the remainder of 2012 with knee injuries.
Utility Cale Morton (shoulder) and youngster Rory Taggert (back) will also play no further part this year.
Round 21 injury list
Football manager Josh Mahoney said Petterd, who has played four of his 54 AFL matches this season, will undergo surgery. Petterd’s most recent match for Melbourne was against Port Adelaide in Darwin, round 17.
“Ricky has been battling with an Achilles complaint for the second half of the season,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
“It has been decided that the best course of action is to operate.
“This will occur this week, giving Ricky the best chance to recover without it affecting his pre-season.”
Defender Jack Watts is a chance to return this round, after missing the past five matches with an ankle injury.
Versatile tall Stef Martin also faces a fitness test, after a foot injury ruled him out of the past two rounds.
Ruckman Mark Jamar (calf) remains out for two more matches.
Leading goalkicking Mitch Clark and 2009 best and fairest winner Aaron Davey are out for the rest of the season with foot injuries.
Backman Clint Bartram, the speedy Jamie Bennell and big man Max Gawn will also miss the remainder of 2012 with knee injuries.
Utility Cale Morton (shoulder) and youngster Rory Taggert (back) will also play no further part this year.
Round 21 injury list
Clint Bartram (knee) - season
Jamie Bennell (knee) - season
Mitch Clark (foot) - season
Aaron Davey (foot) - season
Max Gawn (knee) - season
Mark Jamar (calf) - 2 weeks
Stef Martin (foot) - test
Cale Morton (shoulder) - season
Ricky Petterd (Achilles) - season
Rory Taggert (back) - season
Jack Watts (ankle) - test
