- Odin Jones to miss 2025 AFL season for Fremantle
- He fractured a vertebra in his spine at a friend’s house
- The incident was described as a “freak accident” by club staff.
Promising Fremantle rookie Odin Jones will sit out the Dockers’ 2025 campaign as he recovers from spinal surgery.
Jones, 19, will be sidelined after suffering a “freak” fall at a friend’s house in November which left him with a fractured vertebra in his spine.
After undergoing spinal surgery, the teenager, who can play as a forward or in the ruck, spent several weeks in hospital recovering.
At the time of the incident, Fremantle executive general manager of football Joe Brierty described the situation as a “freak accident”.
In a club statement released Friday, Brierty provided an update on Jones.
“This is an extremely unfortunate outcome for Odin,” he said of Jones being added to the club’s long-term injured list.
“He is a popular member of our playgroup and we will continue to support him in his recovery every step of the way.”
Jones, who was selected with the No. 5 pick in last year’s rookie draft, has yet to play in a senior AFL game.
Fremantle rookie Odin Jones will sit out the Dockers’ 2025 campaign as he recovers from spinal surgery.
Jones (right) will be sidelined after suffering a “freak” fall at a friend’s house in November.
This year, the West Perth junior was impressive when playing for Peel Thunder in the Western Australian Football League.
And with Jones out of action next year, forwards Isaiah Dudley and Baynen Lowe have been invited to train with the Dockers following their respective standout performances in the SANFL.
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power has been named interim director of football at Whitten Oval.
The 41-year-old will look to help cover the loss of Chris Grant during pre-season, after the club stalwart recently departed following more than 30 years of service as a player, board member and executive.
Power will continue to oversee roster management and will work closely with experienced national recruiting director Dom Milesi, who has worked in the football industry for almost 20 years.
The Bulldogs are expected to make a full-time appointment before the start of next season.
The first round of the 2025 AFL campaign begins on March 6 when the Brisbane Premiers take on Geelong in a blockbuster at the Gabba.