Essendon midfielder Sullivan Robey will miss the start of the club's pre-season training after he had minor surgery on his right knee.
Although Robey will miss the first few weeks of the pre-season, the second-year player is expected to be back training before the Christmas break.
The 18-year-old had a minor operation to clean out his knee after he suffered a partial medial ligament tear during the club's Round 20 loss to Hawthorn.
Robey sat out for the rest of the season to rest his knee, but his recovery progress was slower than what the club had hoped, prompting the surgery.
The time on the sidelines means new coach Mark McVeigh won't get a proper look at his talented big-bodied midfielder until likely after the Christmas break when Robey works up his fitness.
The 192cm midfielder was a bolter in his 2025 draft class with the Dons selecting him at Pick 9.
Robey impressed during his first season of AFL, playing 15 games, kicking nine goals, averaging 16 disposals and 3.7 clearances per game.
The young gun midfielder will be looking to build an exciting partnership with fellow first-year midfielder Dyson Sharp, who also impressed in his debut season at the Bombers.
Robey's strongest patch of the season occurred during a four-match period from Rounds 9-12. He averaged 21 disposals, 3.8 tackles and 5.5 clearances per game.
