West Coast Eagles premiership forward Liam Ryan was seen limping off the field during Monday's training session at Lathlain.
The 27-year-old was in and out of the side during 2023, struggling with injury. The electric small forward only managed three senior games last season, yet another name consistently on the Eagles injury list.
As reported by Mitchell Woodcock of The West Australian, Ryan was seen limping off the field with a suspected right leg injury. The extent of the injury remains unknown at this time.
Liam Ryan has limped off the track after appearing to hurt his right leg. More including pics @TheWestSport soon.
— Mitchell Woodcock (@Mitch_Woodcock) January 15, 2024
Woodcock's reports were eventually confirmed by Eagles head coach Adam Simpson, with the premiership-winning steward stating that Ryan had injured the opposite hamstring to the one that brought his 2023 campaign to an early close.
Simpson also confirmed that his All-Australian forward would go for scans to ascertain the severity of the injury.
A star player for the Eagles during their 2018 flag heroics, Ryan comes out of contract at the end of 2024. Whether he signs an extension is yet to be seen, however, he still has plenty to give despite injury concerns. At his best, Ryan is one of the craftiest pure small forwards in the entire competition.
Adam Simpson says @WestCoastEagles Liam Ryan has hamstring injury, opposite leg to last year’s which ended season. Will have scans.
Dom Sheed to likely resume running next week after foot stress fracture.
Harley Reid likely to start off half-back. @9NewsPerth @FootyonNine
— Paddy Sweeney (@SweeneyPaddy9) January 15, 2024
Additionally, second-year defender Coby Burgiel seems to have re-injured his hamstring once again, as seen during training.
“I think we started with 43 on the track and we lost those guys reasonably early in training so we'll have to wait on scans, but Liam looks definitely like he's done something and Burgiel might be on the minor side,” senior coach Simpson said after training.
In happier news, veteran Dom Sheed appears likely to return to running after rehabbing a stress fracture in his foot.
Bright news too for Rising Star hopeful Harley Reid, with the recent No.1 draftee set to follow in the footsteps of past winners in Nick Daicos and Harry Sheezel by starting his debut season off half-back.
The Eagles will be looking to improve in any way possible in season 2024 after a woeful 2023 campaign. With new CEO Don Pyke at the helm and of course, number one pick Harley Reid, injuries to stars are the last thing that the Eagles need.
