Geelong’s Jackson Thurlow has been released from hospital following a lacerated kidney suffered in training for the forthcoming AFL season.

The Tasmanian utility was discharged from a Geelong hospital on Friday and has flown back to his home state for the Christmas break.

Thurlow’s injury came about in a pre-season training drill last Saturday, with the 20-year-old on the receiving end to an elbow to his body.

It’s a similar injury to one suffered by Cats teammate Tom Lonergan a match against Melbourne in 2006.

While Lonergan required emergency surgery, Thurlow avoided going under the knife but did require a week-long hospital stay.

He’s expected to miss up to six weeks of training when the Cats resume after a two-week Christmas break.