Essendon Football Club faces growing concerns regarding its injury management protocols, particularly following reports of friction between the club and star midfielder Darcy Parish over his back injury. The situation escalated during the pre-season after Parish struggled with persistent pain, leading him to seek an independent medical opinion.
According to Mitch Cleary, chief AFL reporter for 7NEWS, Parish initially consulted with Essendon’s medical staff and underwent a procedure to address his back issue. Despite this, he continued to experience discomfort, prompting him to seek advice from a third-party medical professional. This decision reportedly “raised eyebrows” among club officials.
Cleary detailed the timeline: “In December, Parish undergoes a procedure for his back injury, but when recovery does not go as planned, he is in pain for several weeks.” Parish’s choice to pursue independent medical advice is noted by former St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt as an uncommon step for a player, highlighting the seriousness of his condition. The second opinion revealed that the initial procedure had not resolved the issue, leading to a second surgical intervention in Queensland.
The complications from these injuries have significantly impacted Parish’s season. The 2021 All-Australian missed the first 11 matches due to his back and subsequent calf injuries. He made his debut in Round 13 against Carlton but was limited to just two additional games before facing another setback with a calf injury.
Parish’s situation is part of a broader injury crisis at Essendon. The team has seen numerous players sidelined, including Nic Martin (knee) and Will Setterfield (foot), who have recently been ruled out for the season. Other key players on the injury list include Nick Bryan, Sam Draper, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Harrison Jones, and Zach Reid.
The mounting injury concerns have led to an internal investigation into the club’s high-performance team. Reports suggest that senior players are increasingly losing trust in the current injury management strategies, raising the possibility of some players considering their future with the club.
As Essendon navigates this difficult period, the focus will remain on both the health of its players and the effectiveness of its medical protocols moving forward. The club’s ability to address these issues could prove crucial in rebuilding confidence among its roster and the fan base.
