Cats extend Tyson Stengle’s leave as injury strikes Magpies, Blues and Roos

Geelong expect premiership forward Tyson Stengle to return to pre-season training soon after granting the 27-year-old goalsneak additional leave from the club post Christmas.

The club and Stengle’s management have been communicating since training resumed to work out how best to transition him back into full training at the club.

Stengle has played 93 matches in his four seasons at Geelong and is contracted until 2029.

“Tyson’s welfare is our priority and, with the support of the club, he’ll be given the time he needs before returning to training,” football boss Andrew Mackie said in a statement.

The news came on a day when injury carnage hit the AFL, with Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne all confirming injuries to key players.

The injuries to Magpies pair Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore were relatively minor, both of them leaving the track early with calf injuries. However, the nature of the injuries to the veteran pair who play critical roles in defence for the Magpies will create some anxiety given their age and importance.

Both players are expected to recover before the end of the month.

The most disappointing news was reserved for Carlton and Kangaroos supporters, who learnt of season-ending knee injuries to Blues forward Jesse Motlop and tough North Melbourne defender Jackson Archer.

Motlop, who signed a two-year deal to remain with Carlton, suffered the injury at training on Monday. Archer, who has had an injury-riddled career so far, received the results of scans after going down with a right knee injury at training on Saturday.

Blues football boss Chris Davies said Motlop was a resilient character who would now concentrate on his rehabilitation.

“Jesse has put in plenty of hard work in the pre-season, so we are really feeling for him at this time,” Davies said.

“While there is understandable disappointment right now, Jesse is the ultimate professional, who possesses great resilience, which will help as he moves through the recovery process.”

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The Blues have Elijah Hollands and Will White training with the club in the hope of gaining a spot on the list via the pre-season supplemental process.

Archer, the son of North Melbourne great Glenn, played just three matches last season due to suspension and injury.

Adelaide youngster Tom Cochrane also suffered a “significant” hamstring injury on Monday which will force him to miss the start of the season.

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